China calls for new round of talks between Iran, 5+1 group

TEHRAN,Dec.16(MNA) – A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday encouraged Iran to further strengthen its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and called for a new round of talks between Tehran and world powers over the country’s nuclear program. “Dialogue and cooperation is the only way to appropriately resolve the Iranian nuclear issue,” Hong Lei said at his regular press briefing in Beijing. Hong made the remarks after Iran and the IAEA held a meeting in Tehran on Thursday, during which good progress was made and both sides agreed to hold another round of talks on January 16. “We encourage Iran to further strengthen cooperation with the IAEA, and we hope that a new round of talks between Iran and the G5+1 will be held as soon as possible so as to arrive at a comprehensive, long-term, and appropriate solution,” he said. Hong added that China will maintain communication with all the parties involved. The latest round of high-level talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) was held in Moscow on June 18 and 19. Iran and the European Union established contact on Wednesday in order to discuss possible dates and venues for another meeting.