Brussels, 24/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Following the failure of the Istanbul meeting on 21-22 January on the Iranian nuclear programme Tehran has said it is hoping for an early resumption of talks with the 3+3 group (USA, Russia, China, France, United Kingdom and Germany), led by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. “If the other side respects the law and justice, there is hope of a good outcome at the next talks”, said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on 23 January. For the moment, however, no new meeting has been arranged between the 3+3 and Iranian negotiators. On Saturday, the meeting in Istanbul failed essentially because of the pre-conditions set by Iran: recognition of its right to enrich uranium and the lifting of sanctions imposed by the international community. “The door remains open, the choice remains in Iran's hands”, Ashton said. In a written statement, she said she was “disappointed” that the Iranians had not accepted a new nuclear fuel exchange offer. “We came here with specific practical proposals which would build trust,” including an updated version of the TRR (Tehran Research Reactor) fuel exchange arrangement and improved transparency through IAEA monitoring measures. “We had hoped to have a detailed and constructive discussion of those ideas. But it became clear that the Iranian side was not ready for this, unless we agreed to pre-conditions relating to enrichment and sanctions”, she stated. Imposing pre-conditions “is not a way to proceed”. In the meantime, the 3+3 proposals remain on the table. “We are ready to start talking without pre-conditions the moment Iran is ready”, Ashton said. (H.B./transl.rt)