Brussels, 02/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 1 September, Iran's minister for foreign affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said he was “optimistic” after the meetings with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton as regards the conclusion of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme within the time schedule laid down - in other words, before 24 November. “I am quite optimistic, after discussions with Catherine Ashton, about the fact that we can indeed resolve this issue in time”, he said. He described the discussions with Ashton as “good”. “I hope that, with the preparation and political resolve that I see in all parties to this discussion, there will be a resolution in the next three months”, he said.
However, Zarif also stated that an agreement required “political resolve”. He said that the new American sanctions against his country on 29 August were “obstacles to progress” in the negotiations. “But we are nevertheless determined to make progress and with Catherine Ashton we discussed both the time schedules and issues that are involved”, he added.
Ashton has not given any communication about the meeting. At the end of the informal foreign affairs Council in Milan on 30 August she said that they would take advantage of being in New York for the United Nations general assembly in order to continue discussions. The UN general assembly begins the week of 16 September. It is therefore possible that the Iranian nuclear programme discussions could continue at ministerial level the following week. While Ashton is due to leave her post on 31 October, it is nevertheless possible that she continue the negotiations with Iran after this date.
During his meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, Zarif also discussed “issues of common interest for the EU and Iran” including “extremism and terrorism in the region”. (CG)