China FM ‘hopeful’ about final Iran nuclear deal

China has expressed hope about the prospects for the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1, calling on both parties to work together and accelerate the conclusion of a comprehensive accord.

Addressing a Sunday press conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said a “light at the end of the tunnel” is beginning to appear despite some uncertainty in the negotiations between Iran and the six states – Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany.

“At present, there is some uncertainty about the prospects of negotiations going into the future, but we are already seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Negotiations have entered a critical stage,” Wang said.

Wang further pledged that his country would continue to play a positive role in the discussions aimed at facilitating the conclusion of a final agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program.

“We are prepared to work with other relevant parties to finish the marathon talks on Iran nuclear issue at an early date,” said the top Chinese diplomat.

China is an important party to the negotiations, he said, adding that Beijing has made positive contribution to resolving difficult issues and sticking points in the talks.

On Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (pictured above) said that Tehran and the six world powers are likely to clinch a final accord.

“I believe there are more chances of success than failure,” Zarif said, adding, “The odds of [reaching] a [final] deal is more than 50 percent.”

Also on Saturday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (pictured below) expressed hope that a possible final deal over Tehran’s nuclear program could possibly be struck by the middle of the year.

Steinmeier made the remarks after meeting in the French capital, Paris, with his American, French, and British counterparts, John Kerry, Laurent Fabius and Philip Hammond respectively, as well as the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini.

After a 20-minute meeting with Fabius in Paris, Kerry also said, “We want an agreement that’s solid.”

Mogherini also said, “The next couple of weeks are going to be crucial and the chance that we have to get to a deal are historical.”

Representatives of Iran and the P5+1 countries wrapped up negotiations over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program in the city of Montreux, Switzerland, on Thursday.

The two sides are seeking to seal a comprehensive nuclear deal by July 1. They have already missed two self-imposed deadlines for inking a final agreement since they signed an interim one in the Swiss city of Geneva in November 2013.

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