China calls for intensified dialogue between Iran and IAEA

TEHRAN,Nov.8(MNA) – China has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency and the six major powers to enhance their dialogue and cooperation with Iran to help resolve the dispute over the country’s nuclear program. “China has always considered that dialogue and cooperation is the only right way to properly resolve the Iranian nuclear issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said during a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Xinhua reported. He made the remarks in reply to a question about IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano’s address to the UN General Assembly about the cooperation between the agency and Iran on Monday. During his speech, Amano said, “Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation to enable us to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities.” However, he stated, “The agency is firmly committed to intensifying dialogue with Iran.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the top priority is that the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) stick to talks and the IAEA enhances cooperation with Iran to achieve progress at an early date. “The Iranian nuclear issue is complicated and sensitive,” he stated, adding, “But if all parties concerned promote dialogue and cooperation in a flexible and practical way, a solution will be found.” The latest round of talks between Iran and the IAEA was held in Vienna on August 24. And the latest round of high-level talks between Iran and world powers was held in Moscow on June 18 and 19.