Brussels, 07/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The negotiations between the E3+3 and Iran on the Iranian nuclear programme resumed in Geneva on 7 November. At the time of going to press, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton was due to meet Iran's Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif again. Iran's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi said that “a breakthrough is expected at this meeting”. However, he also told Iranian television that there is “difficult work ahead of us. The positions of the two parties are far apart and it will not be easy to bring them closer together”. He added that “what is important is that the two parties have the resolve to do this”.
Ashton's spokesperson reiterated that “the discussions are very complex and we are in a serious phase. We hope to be able to make concrete progress”. The spokesperson added that the West is negotiating for a “good agreement which is verifiable to be sure that it is good for everyone”, according to media in Geneva. The spokesperson reiterated that the West wants Iran's reassurance as to the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme.
After Ashton and Zarif had had a working breakfast, the Iranians and Western countries met at 11.45am for a plenary meeting described as “good”. At the end of this session, the Iranian minister spoke of “some progress” (our translation throughout). The afternoon focused on bilateral meetings between Araghchi and the E3+3 political leaders. The Iranian delegation therefore spoke to Europe (Germany, France and the UK), then, separately, with Russia, then China, and lastly the US. (CG/transl.fl)