Brussels, 25/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 24 May, Iran and the E3+3 (Germany, France, United Kingdom, United States, China and Russia) agreed to pursue their discussion on Iran's nuclear programme in Moscow (Russia) on 17-18 June. “We will go back to our respective capitals and consult. We will maintain intensive contacts with our Iranian counterparts to prepare a further meeting in Moscow with arrival on 17 June, with talks on 18 and 19 June”, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton speaking at a press conference after the talks. Her spokesman explained that talks are expected to last “some time”.
Ashton underlined that both parties “want to make progress, and that there is some common ground. However, significant differences remain. Nonetheless, we do agree on the need for further discussion to expand that common ground.”
One of the difficult points of the discussion was 20% uranium enrichment. Ashton said that Iran had expressed its “readiness to address the issue of 20% enrichment and came with its own five-point plan, including the assertion that we recognise their right to enrichment”.
On Friday, the Russian foreign minister added that the matter of 20% enrichment has not resulted in a compromise, with the Iranians insisting on their “absolute right” to go ahead with it. He said that Iran has declared it is ready to continue discussing the problem of 20% enrichment as well as other matters of interest to Iran, such as recognition of its right to enrichment.
Catherine Ashton said that the E3+3 also discussed reciprocal measures that it would be prepared to take. Her spokesman said that sanctions will not be modified on the basis of words alone but on the basis of concrete action on the ground, and that the oil embargo should therefore take effect on 1 July. (CG/transl.jl)