Iran, US to Hold Bilateral Nuclear Talks in Geneva
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran and the United States will have two-day bilateral talks before the resumption of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and the Group 5+1 in Geneva on Wednesday, the US State Department announced.
“Acting Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the American negotiating team will meet on December 15–16 with Iranian officials in Geneva," a statement released by the US Department of State declared.
This statement added that these bilateral consultations will take place in the context of the Group 5+1 (also known as P5+1 or E3+3) nuclear negotiations with Iran, led by EU Special Advisor Catherine Ashton.
Robert Malley, James Timbie, Paul Irwin, Newell Highsmith, Kevin Veal, Felicia Swindells, and Julia Jacoby form the US delegation to Geneva, the US department of state announced, adding that Deputy Secretary General for the EU's External Action Service Helga Schmid will also join for part of the bilateral meetings.
Earlier this week, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi had told Tasnim News Agency that the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the Group 5+1 will be resumed in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday.
The European Union had also declared that the political directors (of the world powers) and Iran will meet again on December 17 in Geneva for a one-day meeting to continue diplomatic efforts towards reaching a long-term, comprehensive solution.
Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) wrapped up seven days of intensive nuclear talks in Vienna on November 24 without securing a long-awaited comprehensive deal.
They decided to extend talks on Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program for seven more months. The meeting slated to be held on Wednesday is the first attempt by Iran and the world powers to clinch a comprehensive deal after the extension on November 24.
