Mottaki: Next P5+1 talks in Turkey

The Iranian foreign minister names Turkey as the venue for the upcoming multifaceted talks between Iran and the P5+1 without specifying a time frame for the negotiations.

In a joint press conference with visiting Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yea in Tehran on Sunday, Manouchehr Mottaki said China, France, Russia, the UK and the US plus Germany (P5+1) had reached a consensus with Tehran “regarding its views and proposed package.”

Mottaki expressed hope that an agreement regarding the time and agenda of the talks would be reached “as soon as possible” and with a mutual positive attitude.

Regarding the upcoming 9th ministerial summit of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) that will commence on November 8, Mottaki said the foreign ministers of 31 Asian nations participating in the meeting will discuss cooperation and the expansion of ties on wide ranging issues, including trade, customs, economy, politics and cultural exchange.

Mottaki pointed to the many common views and positions among the ACD member states with regards to regional issues such as the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, expressing hope that the conference would bring more unity and increase cooperation among members.

The Iranian foreign minister is due to address the opening ceremony of the ACD meeting on Monday.

The Iranian official also described the recent threatening remarks by US Senator Lindsey Graham urging a major military action against Iran as a “joke” and said such remarks come at a time when the situation seems “tense” in the US following the congressional elections.

Mottaki said the remarks come at a time when the American people, who rejected Republican policies of resorting to force and threats, have once again negatively judged US foreign policy and delivered a blow to the ruling party.

He urged more intelligent US leaders to reconsider their policies of using threats and intervention since they have not benefited from such policies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Singaporean foreign minister, for his part, expressed honor for being the first foreign minister from his country to visit Iran and expressed great interest in expanding relations and cooperation with the country.

Yea hailed Iran’s resolve and resistance during the eight-year war on the country imposed by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and the great development and progress the Islamic Republic has made despite the many challenges during difficult times.

The Singaporean minister also emphasized Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear program and refuted allegations of any diversion of the country’s nuclear activities, backing Tehran’s position that nuclear weapons are against Islam.

He urged more efforts to further to expand current trade ties with the Islamic Republic.