Official Reiterates Iran’s Right to Peaceful Nuclear Power
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Director of the Strategic Research Center of Iran's Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati underscored Tehran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Speaking in a Sunday meeting with the visiting Finish foreign minister, Velayati underlined that Iran pursues its peaceful nuclear program under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Referring to the talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) on Tehran’s nuclear energy program, the senior Iranian official said there are obstacles in the way which should be removed and “that depends on the sextet’s goodwill”.
Iran and the G5+1 (alternatively known as P5+1 or E3+3) are in talks to reach a final agreement over Tehran’s nuclear energy program and the removal of unjustified sanctions against Iran.
The two sides are supposed to hold meetings in New York in September.
Iran and the sextet clinched a landmark interim deal in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 23, 2013. The agreement took effect on January 20 and expired six months later on July 20.
In July, the two sides agreed on the extension of their discussions until November 24 in an effort to achieve a permanent nuclear deal.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Velayati said Tehran is seeking new grounds for cooperation with Helsinki in different areas including industry and agriculture.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, for his part, hoped for the expansion of bilateral ties and stressed the two countries’ commercial and cultural capacities as well as common interests regarding the establishment of peace and stability in the region and fighting extremism.
