Upgrading Level Of Iran-G5+1 Talks Needs Consensus: German Official

Berlin, Aug 19, IRNA – Any decision about upgrading the level of nuclear talks between Iran and G5+1 requires consensus among negotiating countries, said German Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman on Monday. Martin Schafer made the remarks when asked to comment about recent news reports about upgrading the level of talks between Tehran and six major world powers on Iran's nuclear program so that foreign ministers of the two sides can engage in negotiations. Addressing a news conference, he said that G5+1 represents the United Nations and international community in nuclear talks with Iran and any decision in this regard will be made collectively. Meanwhile, he touched on a phone conversation between German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday, saying in addition to congratulating Zarif on his appointment to the post, Westerwelle underlined the necessity to seize the opportunity to find a negotiated end to dispute over Iran's nuclear issue that Germany says is very important and complicated. During a phone conversation with EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton, the Iranian foreign minister voiced Iran's readiness to engage in talks within a timetable. Ashton, for her part, expressed hope that Iran and G5+1 will resume talks at the earliest. During an interview with German news agency, the dpa last week, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle hoped that formation of new government in Iran under President Hassan Rohani will lead to further progress in solving Iran's nuclear issue. He also talked about the possibility of continuation of talks at the level of foreign ministers./end