Iran to resume EU nuclear talks
Monday, 04 Aug 2008 10:29
Iran 'committed' to maintaining dialogue with EU over nuclear programme as latest deadline to halt enrichment expires
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Iran said on Monday it was committed to maintaining dialogue with the
European Union over its deeply contentious nuclear programme.
The foreign ministry said Tehran's senior nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili would speak with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana later today.
"Solana and Jalili will hold a telephone conversation on Monday," spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told journalists.
"Iran seriously pursues its strategy of continuing nuclear talks."
Western powers have been pressurising Iran to halt its uranium enrichment amid fears the country could develop nuclear weapons.
Tehran has insisted its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and for civilian energy purposes and has so far shrugged off a series of incentive packages to continue enrichment.
Three rounds of sanctions have been levelled against the country as a result, while the latest incentives deadline expired this weekend, a development of no great concern for Iran.
"Russia, France and European countries confirm that the issue of deadline is not a cause for concern," Mr Qashqavi added.
Last month a thawing in relations was signalled between Washington – which has no diplomatic relations with Iran and has warned of 'confrontation' over its nuclear programme – and Tehran when undersecretary of state William Burns attended talks between Mr Jalili and Mr Solana in Geneva.