Iranian FM Hopes for EU’s More Active Role in Nuclear Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed optimism that the European Union (EU) would take “a more active role” in the negotiations between Iran and six world powers over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.
Iran expects the EU to play a more active role in the talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) so that the negotiations would yield results, Zarif said during a meeting with Italy’s new ambassador to Tehran, Mauro Conciatori, on Monday.
He emphasized that Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, can effectively lead the nuclear talks to a satisfactory outcome.
Zarif also described Tehran-Rome relations as age-old and called for further promotion of ties in all spheres.
He further expressed the hope that Italy, as the country holding the EU rotating presidency, would play a more active and positive role in the development of Iran-EU ties.
The Italian envoy, who submitted a copy of his credentials to the Iranian minister, for his part, said that his country is always seeking to pave the ground for expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic.
Iran and the G5+1 (alternatively known as the P5+1 or E3+3) are in talks to reach a final agreement over Tehran’s nuclear energy program and the removal of unjustified sanctions against Iran.
The two sides are supposed to hold meetings in New York on September 17 on the sidelines of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 69).
Iran and the sextet clinched a landmark interim deal in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 23, 2013. The agreement took effect on January 20 and expired six months later on July 20.
In July, the two sides agreed on the extension of their discussions until November 24 in an effort to achieve a permanent nuclear deal.
