Iranian, Chinese FMs Discuss Nuclear Issue
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, exchanged views on the latest developments in the process of negotiations between Iran and six world powers over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.
In a telephone conversation on Sunday, Zarif expounded Iran's stance on the nuclear issue and thanked China for its “constant fair stance” on this issue.
China has been playing an important role in promoting peace and dialogue, Zarif noted.
Iran is willing to continue discussions with China on the issue, the Iranian foreign minister was quoted by Xinhua as saying.
Wang, for his part, said that the negotiations for a comprehensive agreement on the issue have entered a crucial stage.
He urged all parties concerned to keep focused on the overall interests, adhere to the existing consensus, meet each other and show flexibility, so as to reach a fair, balanced and comprehensive deal as scheduled.
China is willing to keep close contact with all parties involved and play a constructive role, Wang added.
The phone conversation came two days ahead of the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany), which is slated to be held in Vienna.
Iran and the G5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) are in talks to hammer out a final deal to end a decade of impasse over Tehran’s civilian nuclear work.
On November 24, 2013, the two sides signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.
The Geneva deal (the Joint Plan of Action) came into effect in January and expired in July, when the parties decided to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a final deal.
