Iranian envoy hopes France will help advance Iran-5+1 talks

TEHRAN, May 20(MNA) - Iranian Ambassador to Paris Ali Ahani said that he hopes France will help advance the next round of talks between Iran and the six major powers through the adoption of a realistic and constructive stance. Tehran 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. Ahani also stated that it is unlikely that France will adopt a stance different than those adopted by other members of the group. However, he stated, Tehran hopes that Paris will recognize Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear technology and help the negotiations produce positive results so that relations between the two countries would improve. Improved ties would help open a new chapter in cooperation between Iran and France, the veteran diplomat noted