Sept. 23: Iran is ready to resume long-stalled talks over its nuclear programme provided they are “fair,” the foreign minister, Mr Manouchehr Mottaki, was quoted today as saying. Mr Mottaki’s remarks come as world powers on Wednesday announced in New York that they wanted an “early negotiated solution” to the standoff with the Islamic republic over its nuclear ambitions.
The United States and the four other permanent members of the UN Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia — and Germany (P5+1) announced the new diplomatic overture on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
“Mr Mottaki reiterated Iran’s readiness for negotiations with the Vienna group and the P5+1,” state television’s website reported. “Talks can succeed provided they are fair and Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy is recognised,” he was quoted as saying in a meeting on Wednesday in New York with the Chinese foreign minister, Mr Yang Jiechi.
By the “Vienna group” Iran means the UN atomic watchdog, France, Russia and sthe United States discussing a swap deal with Iran agreed in October, 2009. In June the Security Council had approved a fourth round of sanctions against Iran which in turn said it would suspend talks until September.
Meanwhile, Iran on Thursday dropped its bid for a seat on one of the key policy-making bodies of the IAEA because it was unable to secure consensus backing for its candidacy. The appointment of new board members is one of the key agenda items of the IAEA’s annual general conference, with 11 seats up for grabs in 2010.