West should start talks if it has sincere intention: Iran

TEHRAN, Jan. 21 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that talks between Tehran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) should start if West has a sincere intention. Salehi made the remarks during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara on January 19. The foreign minister said that Iran is in contact with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the six major powers in nuclear negotiations with Iran, over the date and venue for talks, adding that Iran has advised Ashton to set a date and venue for talks. Salehi stated that he would like to have the negotiations in Istanbul and added that if the West has a sincere intention, a date should be decided and negotiations should start. If they make any excuses, this would mean that they are reluctant to hold talks, he added. Davutoglu said that he is in talks with Ashton, adding that Turkey is ready to provide any help or any contributions to the resumption of nuclear talks since it is high time for talks and a settlement.