Brussels, 07/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - The meeting between the “six” members of the international community (represented by Catherine Ashton) and Iran on the latter's nuclear programme came to an end on Tuesday 7 December in Geneva without any tangible results, except that the talks will be continued at the end of January in Istanbul.
“We and Iran agreed to a continuation of these talks in late January in Istanbul, where we plan to discuss practical ideas and ways of cooperating towards a resolution of our core concerns about the nuclear issue”, Ashton told the press after the meeting. “The countries I represent are united in seeking a resolution of the international community's concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme - which is the central purpose of these talks”, the EU high representative for foreign affairs said. “We recognise Iran's rights, but insist that it fulfils its obligations”, Ashton continued, adding: “We, the six, are ready to address and to seek common ground also on other issues of mutual interest”.
In the meantime, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that talks would only be successful if the sanctions against his country were lifted. Iran will not negotiate under constraint, the Iranian negotiator, Saïd Jalili, said in Geneva. (H.B./transl.jl)