Ashton said the parties had conducted "detailed and substantive talks focusing on the Iranian nuclear program and the need for Iran to comply with these international obligations."
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton addresses a press conference after the talks on the Iranian nuclear issue in Geneva, Switzerland, Dec. 7, 2010. The two-day Geneva talks between Iran and the five United Nations Security Council permanent members plus Germany ended on Tuesday. The next round would be held in Istanbul by the end of next month. [Yu Yang/Xinhua] |
However, Iran's Jalili said at a press conference after the Geneva nuclear talks that the only agreement reached by all sides is to hold further talks in Istanbul in January 2011, a gathering that provides opportunity for "talks in cooperation to find common grounds."
He rejected any claims stating that agreements were made to discuss Iran's nuclear issues in Istanbul next month, saying as Iran has reiterated, and as it was expected, Iran did not let the "Iranians' (nuclear) rights" be discussed in the talks.
Iran will not discuss the issue of nuclear enrichment, as "the Iranians' right", in the potential Istanbul talks neither, Jalili said, referring to the enrichment issue as Iranians' inalienable right, which is unnegotiable and said Iran will only talk on the multifaceted global issues.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday at his weekly press briefing that Iran's approach to the ongoing Geneva talks is "positive and constructive."
The spokesman urged the G5+1 to adopt a constructive approach to the talks with Iran, stressing that the attitude of the world powers would affect the outcome of the long-delayed talks.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on the same day that if the world powers stop resolutions and lift the sanctions against Iran, it will be helpful for the talks between Iran and the G5+1, the state IRIB TV reported.