Iran, 5+1 Dialog Must Resume: Pakistani Analyst

Islamabad, Nov 1, IRNA -- A Pakistani independent analyst said here Wednesday 5+1 group should resume dialogue with Iran to settle issues peacefully. Talking to IRNA Professor Hasan Askari Rizvi said that the 5+1 Group is responding favorably to Iran’s desire for negotiation on the nuclear issue. The EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton has said that she has plans to meet with Iran's Chief Negotiator Saeed Jalili, hoping that new round of talks between Iran and the group of six major world powers could lead to finding a diplomatic solution. The announcement is seen as a key step in the resumption of talks between Iran and the 5+1 group -- which consists of Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US plus Germany over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear energy program. It is a positive sign,” added Rizvi. He was of the view that this matter has no military solution and it involves discussions of mutual concerns. “The talks would enable Iran and 5+1 to evolve a mutually acceptable and peaceful negotiated settlement so that Iran can pursue its peaceful nuclear program,” he said. The US and some of its allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Iran rejects the allegation, arguing that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and as a member of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it is entitled the right to develop and acquire the full cycle of the nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Focusing on the cancellation of a planned visit to Tehran by a delegation from the European Parliament Hasan Askari Rizvi said that the cancellation of visits dose not offer a solution, and rather complicates the matter, as the best solution is that the western countries especially the European Union should hold unconditional dialogue with Iran. He opined that the EU should not fall prey to those hardliners who want to opt for a military approach towards Iran. “Peaceful negotiation is the only reasonable method for removing the differences with Iran,” said the analyst. The intellectual also said that the upcoming visit of a German economic delegation to Iran is a bilateral visit with the objective of improving relations, he said. ‘it is a good sign but the real issue is that the West and Iran should hold unconditional talks on nuclear issue.’ Hasan Askari Rizvi is a scholar of international repute. His articles regularly appear both in national and in international academic journals, popular magazines and daily newspapers./end