G5+1 ready for talks with Iran’

The spokesman for the European Union (EU) Foreign Policy chief has announced the readiness of 5+1 Group of world powers for a new round of talks with Iran.

Michael Mann, spokesman for Catherine Ashton said: “We are in touch with the Iranian side. We stand ready to resume negotiations as soon as possible.”
Ashton represents the 5+1 Group – comprising five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.
In a phone conversation with Iran’s new Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif last month, Ashton said the group was ready to resume negotiations with Iran as soon as the administration of President Hassan Rouhani appoints the country’s negotiating team.
On Thursday, the Iranian president officially assigned the Foreign Ministry to take charge of future nuclear talks with the 5+1 Group.
The negotiations were previously conducted by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
Iran and the G5+1 have held several rounds of talks on a range of issues, with the main focus being on Tehran’s nuclear energy program.
The two sides wrapped up their latest round of negotiations in April in the Kazakh city of Almaty. An earlier meeting had been held in Almaty in February.