Brussels, 08/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 6 April, following two days of “long and intensive” negotiations in Almaty (Kazakhstan) at the four plenary sessions and bilateral meetings on the Iranian nuclear programme, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton announced that “it became clear that the positions of the E3+3 and Iran remain far apart on the substance”. The Iranian foreign minister alluded to a “certain distance between the two sides” while the British foreign minister, William Hague, said that there was a significant gap between the two parties and that the current Iranian position was far from what was needed if a diplomatic breakthrough were to be achieved.
Ashton explained that “we have therefore agreed that all sides will go back home to evaluate where we stand in the process”. No location or date for a further meeting has been announced. The high representative said that she would be in contact with E3 +3 ministers and Iranian foreign minister, Said Jalili, soon, “in order to see how to go forward”. These contracts are expected to take place over the next few days.
Although the E3+3 expected a response to its proposal made during the most recent discussions, the Iranians presented a detailed proposal and insisted on their “inalienable” right to enrich uranium whether to 5 or 20%. Jalili stated that “we proposed our action plan and the other side was not ready and requested a little more time to examine the idea”.
According to a Western diplomat, the E3+3 called on Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities in exchange for an easing of international sanctions but Tehran refused. This diplomatic source explained that “the Iranians have indicated that they are prepared to take certain measures” but these were not significant. Diplomats said that, although Iran was prepared to take some measures, it was asking a lot from E3+3 in exchange. One diplomat made clear that “they are putting forward a few minimum ideas but expect a lot in return which is completely disproportionate”.
More far-reaching discussions
The discussions did, however, appear far-reaching. Ashton indicated that they had discussions had been much more detailed than in the past and that their efforts would continue in this direction. She added that, for the first time, there had been an exchange with regard to discussing the details, as well as questions and answers but that what ultimately counts is the substance.
The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Riabkov, described the meeting as “undoubtedly a step forward”. The spokesperson for the US State Department, Victoria Nuland, indicated that the Iranians had tackled real problems, which had not always been the case. US diplomats explained that each side had left the discussions with a better understanding of their respective counterparts and one US diplomat said that “there may not have been a breakthrough but there also was not a breakdown” and that their intention was to continue with the negotiations.
The Iranian negotiator, Said Jalili, said that the Western powers had to apply themselves if they were to win the trust of the Iranian people. He also said that they had to show their sincerity and adopt appropriate behaviour in the future. (CG/transl.fl)