Iran

Iran, P5+1 nuclear talks constructive: Ashton, Zarif

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Iran and the P5+1 group of countries have wrapped up negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear energy program in Vienna, with both sides describing the negotiations as useful and constructive.

In a joint press conference at the end of the second day of talks on Wednesday, Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the parties would meet again on April 7- for further discussions in the Austrian capital.

The Iranian foreign minister said the closure of Arak heavy water reactor is not on the agenda, saying the facility will stay part of the country’s nuclear energy program as agreed under the Geneva deal between Iran and the six powers.

EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton also described the talks as “substantive and useful”, which covered a set of issues “including (uranium) enrichment, the Arak reactor, civil nuclear cooperation and sanctions”.

The talks between Tehran and the six countries are part of efforts to seal a final deal on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.

The agreement will be based on the agreement, dubbed Joint Plan of Action, reached between the two sides in November last year.

Iran and six powers – Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany – reached a deal on November 24, 2013 in the Swiss city to set the stage for the settlement of the dispute over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.

Under the Geneva deal, the six countries undertook to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for Iran agreeing to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period. It was also agreed that no nuclear-related sanctions would be imposed on Iran within the same timeframe.

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