Complicated talks required to conclude Iran nuclear deal: China

China says Iran and the P5+1 countries managed to clarify the “core elements” of a comprehensive agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program in Switzerland, stressing that the sides should hold “more complicated” talks to finalize the deal.

“From now on to the end of June, more complicated negotiations will be required to conclude the comprehensive agreement,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told reporters at a regular press conference on Friday.

He added that the clarification of the core elements of the final nuclear deal by foreign ministers of Iran and the six global powers in the Swiss city of Lausanne earlier this month marks a “major breakthrough” in the nuclear negotiations and lays a solid foundation for reaching the comprehensive agreement in the next stage.

“The Chinese side hopes that all parties would set store by what have been achieved so far, accumulate more favorable conditions, get rid of all distractions, make a political judgment promptly and strive to seal the comprehensive agreement as scheduled,” Hong said.

He also expressed hope that all the negotiating sides would move the nuclear negotiations forward in a bid to achieve “constant outcomes.”

The spokesman expressed China’s willingness to work in tandem with all parties to that end.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia – plus Germany reached a mutual understanding in Lausanne on April 2 following eight days of marathon talks.

The European Union said on Thursday that political directors from Iran and the P5+1 will meet in Vienna, Austria, on April 22-23 to start drafting a permanent accord based on the mutual understanding of Lausanne.

The EU statement said the two negotiating sides “will continue work towards a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue based on the key understandings reached in Switzerland on April 2.”

The mechanism for lifting the sanctions imposed on Tehran will be a major stumbling block in the new round of talks.

The Western governments, headed by Washington, say the removal of bans will be conducted in a step-by-step manner. Tehran says all sanctions must be lifted at the same time as a final deal goes into effect.