Brussels, 27/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 26 June, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton met the political leaders of the E3+3 (Germany, France, United Kingdom and China, United States, Russia) in Brussels for an “intense day of preparation for next week's meetings with Iran” and new discussions on the Iranian nuclear programme, said Ashton's spokesperson. According to the spokesperson, the meeting had “confirmed the determination of the E3+3 to reach a global agreement by 20 July” - the date when the provisional agreement ends. Ashton's spokesperson said that the delegations included administrators and political experts.
The same day, the Iranian minister for foreign affairs, quoted by Iran's official news agency Irna, said that his country had made “rational proposals” in the nuclear negotiations and was “ready for a resolution” but that “excessive demands” from the E3+3 were likely to prevent an agreement for 20 July. “We believe that there are still maximalist positions from the other side, which, I think; should be abandoned”, he added.
The E3+3 and Iran are due to meet again in Vienna on 2 July in order to try and find this global agreement. The process of drafting the final agreement has begun, but there are still points of disagreement. (CG)