P5+1 and Iran wish to hold nuclear negotiations in Istanbul

ANKARA (AA) - April 4, 2012 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Wednesday that Turkey was never after prestige concerning nuclear negotiations with Iran and the P5+1 countries (Five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) and Iran informed Turkey about their wish to hold nuclear negotiations in Istanbul. Davutoglu and Belgian Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders held a joint press conference after their meeting in Ankara on Wednesday. Asked about where the nuclear negotiations with Iran would take place, Davutoglu said that "if the sides indeed wanted to hold the talks in Istanbul, Turkey was ready to provide all possible assistance". The two sides will talk and decide on the venue for the nuclear negotiations. What is important is to get results from the negotiations, Davutoglu stressed. Two points are important for a permanent solution on Iran's nuclear program. The first is that there should not be any obstacle in front of peaceful use of nuclear technology. The second is that all military nuclear activities should be under inspection and be prevented. The two sides claim to have accepted these two points. The acceptance of these two points and a political will could lead to a solution and the region as well as the world could overcome the crisis. We do hope that efforts are taken in this direction, Davutoglu noted. -Turkey summons Iranian ambassador in Ankara- Reminded by a journalist about criticisms made by the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles) Ali Larijani on Turkey, Davutoglu said that he received a comprehensive note on the statements of Larijani and that they were studying the criticisms. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Salehi has informed me that Larijani's comments should not be considered as official ones. We have summoned the Iranian Ambassador in Ankara to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday and requested explanation in regard to Larijani's criticisms, Davutoglu added.