Brussels, 09/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The 5+1 Group (France, United Kingdom, China, United States, Russia and Germany) should develop the possibilities it already has to put an end to the conflict with Iran on its nuclear programme, the Iranian deputy foreign minister for Asian and Pacific affairs, Seyed Abbas Araqchi, said on Monday 8 October, as quoted by the Iranian news agency FNA. “The conditions are now ready if the G5+1 has a will and firm determination, as well as good intention, to resolve Iran's nuclear issue”, he said. “Now a very good opportunity has been prepared and the conditions are ready politically and internationally and from the viewpoint of negotiations, and we hope the G5+1 will make a proper use of these conditions”, he added, saying that Tehran awaits the West's response to the proposals it put forward in Moscow in June.
On Saturday, Iran's deputy negotiator in chief, Ali Baqeri, said that “a constructive response by the Group 5+1 to these proposals can pave the ground for the start of a new round of talks between Iran and the G5+1”.
The response is not going to be immediate. On Tuesday 9 October, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton told EUROPE that the 5+1 is not intending to reply to the Iranian proposals because it is awaiting Tehran's response to the proposals that the 5+1 Group tabled at their discussions in Baghdad - particularly on the uranium enrichment issue. According to the spokesperson, Iran has not tabled any proposals. (CG/transl.fl)