Geneva: "cautious optimism" in talks over Iran's nuclear programme
Geneva (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Talks about Iran's nuclear programme began at the UN headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland) with the negotiators representing the 5 +1 Group (Great Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States, plus Germany) expressing "cautious optimism". The talks, which began yesterday, are set to end this afternoon.
Led by its new moderate president Hassan Rouhani, Iran has submitted a proposal to solve the issue, but the details are still unknown.
In April 2013, the 5+1 Group asked Tehran to halt the production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20 per cent, which is a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.
The group also wants Iran to send some of its stockpiles abroad, accept international inspections and answers questions concerning its military research.
For its part, Iran wants the international community to recognise its "right" to enrich uranium and an end to all sanctions imposed by the United Nations, the United States and the European Union.
For Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton, there is a sense of "cautious optimism" because, unlike previous rounds, yesterday's talks "included detailed technical discussions."
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, for his part, clarified that his government's proposal does not include accepting the 'Additional Protocol' to the Non-Proliferation Treaty that would allow unannounced inspections outside of declared nuclear sites as requested by the United States and the United Nations.
Despite Iran's proposal, the White House warned that, in the absence of specific steps, overnight breakthroughs cannot be expected. Still, Washington appreciates the recent change in atmosphere since Rouhani's elections.
In Geneva, after the meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, US and Iranian officials negotiators met again.
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