EU hopeful about new round of talks with Iran

TEHRAN,Oct.18(MNA) – The European Union held out hopes on Tuesday of returning to talks with Iran over its nuclear program despite the fact that EU foreign ministers adopted new sanctions against Iran on Monday. “We are not doing sanctions for the sake of sanctions,” Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton, told a news conference when asked if the new tough measures would affect the talks, AFP reported. “We are at the same time open (to) talks,” he said, adding, “We have had good talks with Iran.” “We hope that the Iranians will be able to join us for talks,” he added. Mann also said, “We are very hopeful that the Iranians will be able to come forward.” Ashton represents the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) in nuclear negotiations with Iran. The latest round of high-level talks between Iran and the six major powers was held in Moscow on June 18 and 19. No decision has yet been made on the next round of negotiations.