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Asefi optimistic about nuclear talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, July 2, IRNA
Iran-Asefi-Nuclear
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi on Sunday expressed optimism about Iran's nuclear talks with European states.

Asefi said this while speaking to domestic and foreign reporters at his weekly press conference during which he was asked about the nuclear negotiations.

"If talks are based on logic, I am optimistic about them. Unless the European sides show an irrational attitude.

"Negotiations should restore rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.

In response to a question on a statement issued by G-8 which assessed as disappointing Iran's response to a package of incentives offered by the six world powers (P5+1), he added, "We do not regard such statements as very constructive. We did not present any response yet to be disappointing.

"Iran's response will take into consideration national interests and the rights of the country. We will, however, strive to remove the concerns of the West."

The European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, on June 6, visited Iran to hand over a package of incentives approved by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Russia, China, Britain, France and the United States -- plus Germany (Permanent 5+1) to persuade Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities and resume talks to settle the dispute over its nuclear program.

The spokesman added, "There are ambiguities in the package in different aspects which should be discussed with the Europeans." He pointed to the views of European officials who have said the P5+1 offered an attractive and multi-dimensional package to Iran which included security, political and economic issues, saying, "If such remarks were correct, it will take time to give response.

"It is not a question of tactics and wasting time. Europe should be happy and content that Iran will give its response next month.

"Europe should be grateful to Iran for the precise response it is going to give to its proposed package. The Europeans also know that precision should not be sacrificed for speed."

Asked about place and date set for negotiations between Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani and Solana, Asefi said, "We have close talks with the European states and are serious in our task."

Pointing to serious and daily work by different committees on Europe's proposed package, he said Larijani and Solana are in regular contact.

Asefi added Larijani and Solana would meet on Wednesday probably in a European country.

"In the meeting, the two sides will express their views to remove ambiguities and arrive at a result."

The spokesman expressed hope Iran's constructive talks with Europe would not be diverted from its natural course and that they would bear acceptable fruits.

He said no deadline has been set for Iran to give its response to the proposed package of incentives, adding raising such statement would not be constructive.

"Different committees are carrying out their task with precision and seriousness in reviewing the Europe's proposals. The Islamic Republic of Iran will announce its response next month which will not be a long time.

"The Europeans have just said they expect Iran to present its reply at the earliest," Asefi said.

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