Geneva Deal Extended, Iran Nuclear Talks Drag On
VIENNA (Tasnim) – A joint statement at the end of week-long nuclear talks between Iran and six word powers announced that negotiations to secure a comprehensive nuclear agreement will continue seven more months with an interim deal, signed in Geneva, remaining in place.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and European Union envoy Catherine Ashton, who coordinates nuclear negotiations with Iran on behalf of the six powers, released a joint statement at the end of the talks in Vienna on Monday night.
Below is the full text of the statement:
“Since we agreed to the Joint Plan of Action one year ago in Geneva, we, together with the Foreign Ministers and Political Directors of the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States), have been engaged in intensive diplomatic negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive solution.
We once again express our appreciation to the Austrian Government for their most generous support in hosting these negotiations in Vienna.
Based on the strong commitment by all sides to reach a mutually-agreed long-term comprehensive solution, we have held ten rounds of negotiations and numerous meetings during the past months.
Some ideas have been developed, but given the technical nature of this effort and the decisions needed, more work is required to assess and finalize them as appropriate.
We would have preferred to finalize a comprehensive solution here in Vienna. But we remain convinced that, based on the progress made and on the new ideas which continue to be explored, there is a credible path through which a comprehensive solution can be reached.
We, together with the Foreign Ministers of the E3+3, have therefore agreed to continue our diplomatic efforts. We have decided to extend the measures of the Joint Plan of Action to allow for further negotiations until June 30th. We intend to build on the current momentum in order to complete these negotiations within the shortest possible time, up to four months, and if necessary to use the remaining time until the end of June to finalize any possible remaining technical and drafting work.
Iran and the E3/EU+3 reaffirm that they will continue to implement all their commitments described in the Joint Plan of Action in an efficient and timely manner. The IAEA will be asked to continue monitoring the voluntary measures under the Joint Plan of Action.
The next meeting to continue our work will happen in December.”
