World powers, Iran agree to hold next round of nuclear talks on Nov. 7-8

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World powers, Iran agree to hold next round of nuclear talks on Nov. 7-8

(Xinhua) 08:31, October 17, 2013

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GENEVA, Oct. 16 -- European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Wednesday that world powers agreed with Iran to continue their nuclear talks on Nov. 7-8. in Geneva.

Ashton told reporters that after two-day talks between the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany, and Iran, they for the first time agreed on a joint statement.

The P5+1 and Iranian nuclear scientific and sanctions experts will convene before the next meeting to address differences and develop practical steps, according to the joint statement reached by Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad-Zarif, who headed the Iranian delegation.

Ashton said the discussions were "intensive" and "very important."

During the meeting, Zarif presented an outline of a plan as a proposed basis for negotiation, which is being carefully considered by the P5+1 delegates as an important contribution.

Members of delegations followed with in-depth bilateral and joint consultations on various elements of the approach, according to the statement.

"We have always sought to put forward ideas that can help to build confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. In the detailed work we are doing and engaged in, we will always continue to look for ways in which we can do that," said Ashton, declining to disclose details of the negotiations.

"Our positions have been set out on a number of issues already," she said.

Zarif told reporters in English that the two days' "extensive and fruitful" consultations will hopefully be the beginning of a new phase in Iran's relations with world powers towards "closing an unnecessary crisis and opening new horizons", which he also used as the title for his presentation of proposal at the beginning of the talks on Tuesday.

He said members of the P5+1 also have exhibited the necessary political will in order to move the process forward.

Zarif also didn't disclose further details of the plan they have been negotiating on.

"We will be doing the negotiations in the negotiating room and not in the press...the seriousness of the issue and the importance of details require us to be very vigilant in making sure that we can push process forward," he said.

Zarif said Iran's proposal was a new approach and the P5+1 didn't know the elements of the package (beforehand) and it would require some time for them to be able to respond to it.

"I hope that in responding to it, they will be prepared to take on the same approach of trying to solve this problem, not to find new problems," he said.

"We need to move forward towards a common goal and that goal is to provide confidence about the peaceful nature of the peaceful nuclear program of Iran and also we are insisting on our rights in the context of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)," he said in Farsi.

"We will not give up those rights... at the same time, we believe that there is no reason to be worried about Iran's peaceful program and our interests require to provide confidence and allay possible rational international fears," said Zarif.

He said both sides have reached a "serious stage" in the talks, which is difficult to reach as both sides need to show good will and enough political will.

Pang Sen, Director-General of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament of Chinese Foreign Ministry, who headed the Chinese delegation to the talks, said that resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations is in accordance with the interests of all sides.

He said that relevant parties should seize this opportunity of positive environment for the talks, adopt a flexible and practical attitude, take each other's concerns into consideration, and conduct substantive negotiations in order to make progress soon.

He said that China is willing to continue to actively participate in the Iran nuclear talks and contribute constructive efforts to solve the Iran nuclear issue peacefully through political and diplomatic ways.