Brussels, 30/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Iran has officially agreed to resume negotiations on its nuclear programme with the “3+3” (United States, Russia, China, France, United Kingdom and Germany) in Geneva on Monday and Tuesday of next week, 6-7 December, the spokeswoman for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton announced on 30 November. Ashton was asked by the six to sound out the Iranian authorities on the possibility of a return to the negotiating table. She proposed a meeting with the Iranian nuclear negotiator, Saïd Jalili, in Geneva on 5 December. On Tuesday, Tehran responded to the offer. “We have received a response from the Iranian authorities that Dr Jalili is agreeable to Catherine Ashton's proposal to meet in Geneva. On this basis, talks between Catherine Ashton on behalf of the E3+3 and Dr Jalili should take place on 6 and 7 December,” Ashton's spokeswoman said. The meeting will be the first at this level since the one in October 2009, also held in Geneva. One of the difficulties facing the negotiators will probably be agreeing on the exact purpose of the discussions. Ashton and the major powers would like them to focus on all aspects of the Iranian nuclear programme. Tehran, on the other hand, would like to open out the debate and to discuss so-called “regional security” issues. (H.B./transl.rt)