Chinese FM Optimistic about Future of Iran’s Nuclear Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced optimism about the prospects of the negotiations between Iran and six world powers over Tehran’s nuclear issue, saying that the talks have created a “historic opportunity” which should be seized to reach a final deal.
“I believe that a historic opportunity has been created in the nuclear negotiations, but there are still some problems that should be resolved,” the Chinese diplomat, whose country is one of the negotiating parties in the nuclear talks, said in a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Sunday.
By the efforts of the parties, the negotiations have reached a major progress and come to a climax, he said, adding that the talks are likely to be difficult and complex.
Commenting on the self-imposed deadlines for a final deal between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany), he said extension of negotiations for another term is unlikely.
Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) have been in talks to hammer out a final agreement to end more than a decade of impasse over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear energy program.
Following an interim nuclear deal signed in Geneva in November 2013, two deadlines for a final, comprehensive deal have been missed, and now a third one is looming on July 1.
As regards Iran-China ties, Yi said, “Iran has a crucial role in the regional and international issues and China attaches great significance to its relations with the country.”
He emphasized the necessity for the expansion of relations between the two countries in the area of energy and industry.
The Chinese minister also voiced his country’s readiness for closer cooperation between Tehran and Beijing in the fight against terrorism and illicit drugs.
