Chinese FM to visit Tehran soon

TEHRAN,Feb.12(MNA)--In reply to a question about the upcoming trips of a number of Chinese officials to Tehran,Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that Iran is continuing consultations with Russian and Chinese officials about the much expected negotiations between Tehran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany). He added that Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Yang Jiechi plans to pay a visit to Tehran in a month or two in line with the ongoing consultations. China's Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will arrive in Tehran on Sunday. Salehi said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has also been invited to pay a visit to China in the near future. Commenting on his visit to Moscow, which was made a few months ago, and the meetings with Russian officials on their “step-by-step” proposal, the foreign minister said Iran has welcomed the proposal and regarded it as a goodwill gesture. He added that the Islamic republic will continue consultations with the Russian Federation in this regard. On July 13, Russia made a proposal for a “step-by-step” approach, according to which Iran could address questions about its nuclear program and be rewarded with a gradual easing of sanctions.