Iran, European states make good progress in nuclear talks: Asefi
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, Feb 13, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said here Sunday that Iran and the European states of France, Germany and Britain have made good progress during their recent nuclear talks. "The US and Zionist regime try to have an influence on the nuclear talks and make efforts to prevent the progress of negotiations but Iran and the European big trio have achieved good progress during their recent talks," Asefi told reporters at his weekly press briefing. The sides held two days of intensive talks in the nuclear committee and one day negotiation each in the economic and political and security committees, he said. "We tried to clear that possessing fuel cycle has economic justification," he added. It is not a covert issue that Israel takes every opportunity to adopt measures to misuse Iran, Asefi said, stressing that signing the additional protocol by Iran and regular cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency are best guarantees on Iran`s peaceful nuclear activities. "In talks with the European states, we stressed Iran will continue its activities in the field of fuel cycle and intends to enter fuel producing and supplying within the next 15 years as an important and prominent player," Asefi said. Shifting to a proposal by the Europeans on Iran`s use of light water reactor, the spokesman stated, "We welcome the Europeans` proposal but will never accept their light water reactor instead of our heavy water research reactor. "We will follow up the issue of our heavy water reactor but will view Europe`s cooperation with Iran on a light water reactor as positive." Asked about other issues of Iran-Europe talks, Asefi said various topics including the Middle East and the Zionist regime were raised. "We will never recognize the Zionist regime officially. This is among the diplomatic rights of the Islamic Republic," he noted, adding "different groups like Hizbullah are legal because they enjoy popular support. "We think Europe should introduce the Zionist regime as a country supporting terrorism. The Islamic Republic has complaints on wrong policies adopted in support of this regime." The spokesman reiterated that Iran`s use of nuclear power plant will bring no change in the international system and will bear no threat or danger for international positions. He said a visit by the foreign ministers of the three European states of Britain, France and Germany to Tehran to hold talks with Iranian officials is not still on the agenda. "Diplomatic consultations are still continuing. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani is to visit Algeria today (Sunday) and Russia later to discuss key regional and international issues as well as Iran`s nuclear programs with officials of the two states." He noted that Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi is to pay a visit to Hungary on Monday morning as well as a short visit to Germany and stated that the minister will then visit Luxembourg for talks on various international and nuclear issues. "We try to make use of all our potentials and will keep moving on the path we have chosen." 2327/1432
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