Iran sends reply to EU foreign policy chief ’s letter on 5+1 talks

TEHRAN, Feb. 16 (MNA) – Iran sent a reply on Wednesday to European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton’s letter dated October 2011. Ashton represents the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) in nuclear negotiations with Iran. The letter contains suggestions about the date, venue, and agenda of new round of talks about Iran’s nuclear program between Tehran and the 5+1 group, Ali Baqeri, the deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. It is more than likely that the new round of talks will be held in Istanbul in the near future. The Iranian official also emphasized that the Islamic Republic will accept no preconditions for the resumption of talks with the six major powers. In a letter to Iran dated October 2011, Ashton announced that the 5+1 group is willing to resume talks with Iran within weeks if Tehran is prepared to “engage seriously in meaningful discussions.” The letter came after Saeed Jalili, Iran’s SNSC secretary and chief nuclear negotiator, wrote a letter in September 2011 to Ashton announcing Iran’s readiness to resume talks. If Iran is ready to discuss concrete confidence-building measures without preconditions, “we would be willing to agree on a next meeting within the coming weeks at a mutually convenient venue,” Ashton said. “I welcome your suggestion to resume talks, in order to take fundamental steps for sustainable cooperation,” she said.