Brussels, 03/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Union does not want to resume negotiations on the nuclear question with Iran before the authorities of the country provide a response to the letter sent in October 2011 by the EU high representative on the nature of the country's nuclear programme. This position was underlined on Tuesday 3 January by the spokesman for Catherine Ashton, who was responding to the Iranians' request for a “date and place” for resuming these negotiations. Michael Mann, the spokesman for Catherine Ashton declared that “the ball is in the Iranian court”. He underlined that the Iranians were doing things in reverse and that the country's foreign minister, Saïd Jalili, first of all had to answer the letter sent by Catherine Ashton. “The Iranians first of all have to answer this letter and then we will see”. The spokesman for foreign affairs in Tehran, Ramin Mehmanparast, said that Tehran “had already provided an answer to Ms Ashton”.
“We are ready for serious discussions with Iran”, explained Mann, but there cannot be any preliminary conditions imposed by the Iranians. On 3 January, Tehran called on the EU high representative to set a date and place for negotiations on the nuclear issue with the major powers (US, United Kingdom, Russia, France, China and Germany). The spokesman for the Iranian foreign affairs department, Ramin Mehmanparast, said that “when the date and place proposed by Ms Ashton are announced, Jalili and his negotiating team on the nuclear issue will give their point of view, during the contacts established, and there will be a final agreement” between Tehran and the major powers. The spokesman for Catherine Ashton underlined that as requested by the Foreign Affairs Council on 1 December, discussions are continuing on the question of new sanctions. He explained that “there are discussions this week with member state working groups. We are expecting a decision by the Foreign Affairs Council on 30 January at the latest.” These sanctions could focus on Iranian oil. (CG/transl.fl)