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Hague: Iran nuclear talks need to be followed by concrete results
Iranian officials and representatives of the P5+1 forum (United States, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany) concluded two days of talks in Geneva yesterday with a rare joint statement from both sides.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who chaired the talks, read the statement saying that Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif had “presented an outline of a plan as a proposed basis for negotiation” and that talks had been “substantive and forward looking.”
Few details were revealed of the Iranian proposal, but it is believed to have comprised an initial six months of confidence building measures, including curbs on Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for some sanctions relief. This would be followed by a further six months implementing an “end state” of affairs. Several media reports speculate that this would include Iran’s agreement to spot checks of its nuclear facilities by international inspectors, while the international community would be expected to permit some Iranian enrichment. Talks between the two sides are expected to continue next month.
Although Foreign Secretary William Hague concurred that there had been a “more positive approach” from the Iranians, he cautioned that although it is important to “maintain the positive momentum… we should not forget that Iran’s nuclear program is continuing to develop.” Hague added, “I hope that negotiations will lead soon to concrete results,” and that “Iran will need to take the necessary first steps on its program.” Meanwhile, on the sidelines of yesterday’s multilateral talks, Foreign Office political director Simon Gass met with an Iranian deputy foreign minister to agree on steps towards resuming diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Although there was no official Israeli response to the Geneva talks, Israel Radio reporter Gideon Kutz asked Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Geneva whether Israel would be able to live with a potential deal between Tehran and the international community. Araqchi responded with a simple “Yes” in reply.