Strasbourg, 11/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 10 June, Iran criticised the major powers of the E3+3 (France, Germany, United Kingdom China, Russia and United States) for their lack of will ahead of the forthcoming discussions on the Iranian nuclear programme in Moscow on 18-19 June. In reply to a letter sent by Helga Schmid, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service, her Iranian opposite number Dr Ali Bagheri expressed his surprise at the points raised by Schmid, which called on Tehran to engage in in-depth talks (see EUROPE 10630). Bagheri said that “your recent letter surprised me; it tabled issues that were a long way apart from the agreements... of the talks in Baghdad between Iran and the E3+3 as well as those agreed in comprehensive talks between the deputies in Geneva”. He made the point that Schmid had “neither introduced any plans nor responded to the proposals of the Islamic Republic of Iran” at the Baghdad meeting on 23-24 May.
Bagheri also asked why Ashton's office was refusing an Iranian request that the Moscow round be preceded by a meeting of experts and deputies to define the agenda. “Will the upcoming talks be successful, with an agenda with defined dimensions, or will it be successful only for the sake of talks-for-talks and without an agenda?” he asked. “If the agreements of each round of talks cannot be followed up at the level of deputies and experts, what guarantee will there be for the success of future talks?” he added.
Bagheri stated, however, that “Iran is ready for successful talks to be held, following a clear logic and specified proposals”, stating: “I hope you can also find this readiness”, as a barb to the West.
EU surprised by Iranian letters
On Monday 11 June, the High Representative's spokesperson expressed the surprise felt by the European External Action Service (EEAS) at the Iranian letters. “We are surprised by the Iranian letters. E3+3 is always ready to have discussions on substance, but Iran continues to put the focus on procedural aspects”, stated Maja Kocijancic, adding: “We have explained elements of the E3+3 package during long meetings between Helga Schmid and Bagheri in Geneva before Baghdad and handed over details of our proposal in Baghdad”.
“There were several phone calls and exchanges of letter at deputy level during past two weeks, but Iran is not willing to advance issues on substance”, she said, stating that Ashton would talk to Chief Negotiator Said Jalili “in order to get political commitment for the process to move ahead”.
E3+3 representatives met in Strasbourg on Monday to prepare for the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme ahead of the Moscow meeting (CG/transl/.rt)