Munich Security Confab To Dwell On Prospects For Final Iran Deal

Berlin, Jan 28, IRNA -- This weekendˈs Munich security conference will focus on chances for a permanent agreement on Iranˈs nuclear program, organizers said here Monday. Addressing a news conference, the head of the Munich security meeting, Wolfgang Ischinger said that the Iranian panel discussion on Sunday, featuring Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his counterpart Swedish Carl Bildt, would dwell on ways for achieving a lasting Iran deal. The Munich Security Conference gives Iran the chance to present its position and provides also an opportunity to the Iranian foreign minister to explain his countryˈs plans and arrangements regarding a long-term accord, said Ischinger. It would also dwell on obstacles and problems on the way to reaching a durable agreement, he added. Ischinger said it was also likely that the American and other European Union officials would join Zarif and Bildt in the panel discussion. The Iranian nuclear issue along with the Syrian conflict and the global debate over internet security in the wake of revelations over the US digital spying will top the agenda of the 50th Munich Security Conference, scheduled to take place in Munich from January 31 through February 2. Among those invited to the conference -- widely regarded as the top annual gathering of political movers and shakers on global strategic issues -- there are the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the US Secretary of State John Kerry, the US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and the US national security advisor Susan Rice in addition to several American senators. A total of 20 heads of states and governments, 50 foreign and defense ministers and 10 heads of international organizations are expected to participate in the confab. German President Joachim Gauck is scheduled to inaugurate the Munich security meeting on Friday./end