Zarif voices optimism about Iran N-deal

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says he is optimistic that the issues related to country’s nuclear energy program “will be resolved in time” if there is political will.

“I am quite optimistic after discussions with Lady Ashton that we can in fact resolve this issue in time,” Zarif told reporters after a meeting with chief negotiator of the Sextet of world powers Catherine Ashton in the Belgian capital Brussels on Monday.

“I hope with the readiness and political will that I see in all parties to this discussion to have a resolution within the next three months,” Zarif added.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed how to proceed with the Iran-P5+1 talks with a view to reaching a comprehensive agreement.

Zarif, who arrived in Brussels early on Monday morning, is accompanied in his trip by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi and Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi.

The Iranian foreign minister will next head to Italy and Luxemburg. Zarif plans to meet with incoming European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who will replace Ashton.
 
Iran and the Sextet of powers – the US, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany – signed a historic interim deal in the Swiss city of Geneva in November 2013. The agreement entered into force on January 20 and expired six months later. In July, Iran and the six countries agreed to extend their negotiations until November 24 in a bid to work out a final accord.

IA/AS/MAM