Tue Feb 18, 2014 17:12:53
Iran and the six major world powers have concluded the first round of their fresh talks in the Austrian capital, Vienna, in pursuit of a final agreement on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.
The talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - China, Russia, Britain, France and the United States - plus Germany began on Tuesday at the United Nations office in Vienna.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, who represents the six world powers in the nuclear talks, presided over the talks.
This was the first round of high-level negotiations held between Tehran and the Sextet of world powers after they clinched a landmark interim deal in the Swiss city of Geneva on November 24, 2013.
The Iranian foreign minister said on Monday that “political resolve and goodwill” are essential for talks between Iran and the six powers to reach a final agreement, adding that negotiations in Vienna will be based on the Geneva “Joint Plan of Action.”
Under the Geneva Joint Plan of Action, whose implementation started on January 20, the six countries undertook to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for Iran agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period. It was also agreed that no nuclear-related sanctions will be imposed on Iran within the same timeframe.
HH/HH
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