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Vaeidi: Path of Iran-Europe talks open

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 19, IRNA
Iran-Vaeidi-Talks
Deputy head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) for International Affairs, Javad Vaeidi, on the eve of the visit of Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and the nuclear negotiating team to Brussels, said that the grounds are prepared for Iran-EU talks.

Speaking to domestic and foreign media, he added that the meetings scheduled during the visit would pave the way for continuing talks.

He noted that Iran intends to avoid any measure aiming to disrupt the process of dialogue.

"Given the current developments in Iran's nuclear developments, this is a suitable opportunity for both sides to get back to the path of talks and understanding.

"Mottaki, I and several members of the nuclear team are scheduled to leave for Brussels. Foreign minister will confer with EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana on latest developments in the region and EU-Iran ties," he added.

Vaeidi noted that Mottaki will also hold talks with EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, his Belgian counterpart, Karel de Gucht, and later address the foreign relations committee of the European Parliament.

He noted that the visit will generally focus on Iran-EU ties, which marks the significance of mutual relations for both sides.

Stressing that the trip is in response to the invitation of the host European country of Belgium, he said that this indicates the importance attached by Europe to its ties with Iran.

Concerning dispatch of another Iranian delegation to Russia to be headed by SNSC strategic deputy head, Seyed Ali Hosseini-Tash, he said that talks in Moscow and Brussels will be held simultaneously in the same day.

Vaeidi said that due to concurrence of the two visits, he will not be able to attend the Moscow talks, but that he will continue pursuing the process.

"The talks in Moscow and Brussels are not interconnected and each of them has an independent path. We consider Russia's proposed project as an independent one and since it was initiated by Russia it is technical.

"Therefore, it is better to be followed up separately and independently, in particular from technical point of view," he added.

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