Iran, EU reps discuss nuclear talks

TEHRAN,Dec.15(MNA) - Representatives of Iran and the European Union held a telephone conversation about the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program on Wednesday, according to U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland. “The European Union has just made clear that earlier today, EU Deputy Secretary General Helga Schmid, who is Cathy Ashton’s deputy, had a phone call with the Iranian deputy negotiator Dr. (Ali) Baqeri in order to discuss the way ahead, including possible dates and venues for another (P-5+1) plus Iran meeting. So we continue to make clear to the Iranian side that in that structure, the door remains open to talks if they are serious,” Nuland stated during a press briefing in Washington on Wednesday, the Jerusalem Post reported. Catherine Ashton represents the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) in nuclear negotiations with Iran, and Saeed Jalili, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, is Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator. The latest round of high-level talks between Iran and the six major powers was held in Moscow on June 18 and 19.