Sextet Enter Iran N. Talks with Coordinated Approach, Russia Says
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russia’s deputy foreign minister said the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany), to which his country is also a member, have already coordinated positions ahead of the new round of nuclear talks with Iran.
“The Brussels meeting (of June 26) was aimed at forming the position for the next round. We realize the existing problems and the possibilities for compromises,” Sergei Ryabkov, who leads the team of Russia’s nuclear negotiators, was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass on Wednesday.
Diplomats representing Iran and the G5+1 (also referred to as P5+1 and E3+3) are in the Austrian capital of Vienna to hold talks for reaching a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear energy program before a July 20 deadline.
Under an interim deal, signed by the seven nations in November 2013, the parties should draw up a comprehensive nuclear agreement over the course of six months that would lead to a lifting of the whole sanctions on Iran.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ryabkov stressed that it is real to reach a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program until the July 20 deadline. “The P5+1 meeting in Brussels proved this,” he added.
“Much work should be done. But our joint efforts aimed at searching for compromises can allow us to work out a final document till July 20,” he explained.
This is the sixth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the six powers since February.
Coordinated by the European Union, the whole negotiations are aimed at resolving the decade-long standoff on Iran’s nuclear energy program.
The new round of talks starts on July 2 and will continue until at least July 15. If required, the parties would carry on consultations to the last moment on July 20.
Both sides have said their goal is to have a deal by the deadline and avoid a difficult extension of the interim accord (Joint Plan of Action) that expires then.