Iraqi FM, EU officials discuss Iran-5+1 talks in Baghdad

TEHRAN, April 23 (MNA) - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari met with a number of EU officials on Saturday to discuss issues related to the next round of talks between Iran and the six major powers, according to Sot al-Iraq. Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) held a new round of talks in Istanbul on April 14, breaking a 15-month hiatus in talks, and agreed to meet again in Baghdad on May 23. Both sides described the negotiations as ‘positive’. Citing an Iraqi Foreign Ministry statement, Sot al-Iraq reported that Zebari and members of the EU delegation emphasized the importance of the Baghdad talks. “During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the selection of the most suitable routes and security and technical arrangements in regard to the talks and highlighted the importance of contacts (between Iraqi and) EU representatives in this regard,” part of the statement read. The main bone of contention between Tehran and the West is Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iran says all its nuclear activities are totally peaceful, and, as an International Atomic Energy Agency member and a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it has the legal right to produce nuclear fuel for its research reactors and nuclear power plants. Now, all eyes are on the Baghdad talks to see whether an agreement can be reached between Iran and world powers.