Brussels, 17/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 17 October, Michael Mann, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, stated that “diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue” have now entered “a critical phase”.
“Experts will meet again in the coming days to continue the technical work”, said Mann. In his view, “a series of important contacts” took place in Vienna on 14-16 October - with a meeting between the political leaders of the E3+3 (Germany, France, United Kingdom and China, United States, Russia), Ashton and Iran's Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif. A bilateral meeting between Ashton and Zarif, and a trilateral negotiation session between the EU, Iran and the US (represented by US Secretary of State John Kerry) also took place.
On his side, Zarif told press about the search for solutions to the problems. “It was very difficult, serious and intense. But instead of focusing on the problems, we discussed the solutions that can be envisaged”, he reportedly stated. “Progress was made in all areas”, he apparently added on 16 October. Zarif announced that he was going to meet Kerry and Ashton again in three to four weeks, according to Iranian state television.
“We are trying hard to make progress and remain fully engaged to achieve a comprehensive solution by the 24 November deadline”, said Mann. (CG)