Iran to Gauge Resolve of G5+1 in Geneva Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Hours before the new round of talks over Iran’s nuclear program are set to start, Iran’s foreign minister said his team will test the seriousness of the Group5+1, adding that Iran's package of proposals is ready to be presented.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is also the country’s lead nuclear negotiator, said upon arrival in Geneva on Monday that the new round of talks on October 15-16 will provide an opportunity to "test the seriousness" of G5+1, namely Russia, the US, Britain, China, France as well as Germany.
“We are not pessimistic, but need to gauge the political resolve of the other side and we can reach a settlement in the near future. We hope an issue that has defied solution for years and the existing lack of trust would be overcome in the shortest possible time,” said Zarif.
The Iranian foreign minister further said that Tehran has prepared its package of proposals, and the Iranian delegation is ready to “seriously study” solutions put forth by the other negotiating parties.
“We believe that the existing problems can be resolved through a balanced approach and we will remove obstacles and take steps towards the restoration of our inalienable nuclear rights,” Zarif said.
However, the Iranian minister expressed doubt about the other negotiating parties' preparedness to accept Iran’s proposals, saying that they “may need time” for further consultations with their capitals.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to lead Iran's nuclear team at the new round of negotiations. He will attend only the opening session on Tuesday and the rest of the talks will be held between deputies if the six world powers are not represented at the level of foreign ministers.
According to reports, Zarif and Catherine Ashton - who represents the G5+1 in the talks - will meet on Monday evening at a dinner.
The Iranian team includes Deputy Foreign Minister for Euro-American Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi, Director General for International Political Affairs Hamid Baeedinejad, Legal Advisor to Foreign Minister Davoud Mohammadnia and Mohammad Amiri from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).
In the absence of Zarif, Araqchi will lead the Iranian team in the talks with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and representatives from the G5+1 countries.
