EU foreign policy chief says Iran and major powers could resume talks soon

TEHRAN,Feb.28(MNA)--European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed optimism on Monday that negotiations between Tehran and world powers could begin soon, the Morning Star reported. Ashton said an offer of dialogue issued by chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili on February 14 "suggests we should consider getting into talks." Jalili wrote to Ashton on February 14 offering negotiations and proposing they resume in Turkey. The top EU diplomat represents the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany in talks with Iran. She said those states were working "to look at whether we think it is sufficient to get into talks and I am cautiously optimistic about that." Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also said, "Now it's a question of the timing. I don't know, but I don't think it's going to take too long."