Europe can play major role in Iran nuclear talks: Zarif
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Javad Zarif says Europe can play a pivotal role in the process of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 group.
Zarif made the remarks on Sunday in a meeting with Wegger Christian Strømmen, the political director of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the two sides discussed developments in the talks between Iran and the P5+1 countries (Russia, China, France, Britain, the United States and Germany) ovet Tehran's nuclear program.
“Europe can assume a major role in this process and substantially contribute to the clinching of a comprehensive agreement and the lifting of sanctions” against Iran, Zarif said.
The senior Iranian diplomat welcomed furthering consultations between Tehran and Oslo, stressing the expansion of relations between the two countries in all fields, especially in the energy sector.
The Norwegian diplomat, for his part, expressed hope that the nuclear talks between Tehran and the six countries will bear fruit soon and the unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic are lifted.
Iran is one of the major countries in the Middle East seeking to maintain peace and stability in the region, Strømmen noted.
He called for further interaction between Iran and Norway.
Iran and the five veto-wielding members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany are trying to seal a final deal by the end of March and to confirm the full technical details of the comprehensive accord by July 1.
The scale of Iran’s uranium enrichment and the timetable for the removal of anti-Iran sanctions are seen as major stumbling blocks in the talks.
Iran has so far suspended parts of its enrichment program in return for some sanctions relief.
Earlier on Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tehran that an overarching deal over Iran’s nuclear program needs political resolve on the part of Iran’s negotiating partners, saying that China can help bring about a swift conclusion of the deal.
Iran's foreign minisiter also said at a joint press conference with his Chinese opposite number that time is ripe for a comprehensive deal between Tehran and the P5+1 on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.
IA/NN/HRB
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