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Salehi: Iran negotiating with agency on 2nd phase of cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Jan 10, IRNA -- Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) is engaged in talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials for beginning the second phase of cooperation, AEOI chief said here on Thursday.

"Iran and the agency will end their first round of negotiations till early February and the second round of talks between Iran and the IAEA will begin soon after that," said Ali-Akbar Salehi during a commemoration service for a martyred nuclear scientist in response to a question by IRNA.

The AEOI chief said that the construction of a nuclear power station is associated with its own particular difficulties and constructing the 2nd nuclear reactor in Bushehr is underway.

He added, "Presently we are negotiating with the Russians about construction of the 2nd nuclear reactor in Bushehr."

As part of its efforts to repair relations with the international community, Iran agreed with the IAEA last month to provide access to formerly off-limit sites, as well as additional technical information about its nuclear facilities.

This agreement came shortly before Irans separate nuclear deal with six world powers in Geneva.

So far we have been cooperating for one month, and everything is proceeding as planned, chief inspector Tero Varjoranta said after a meeting with Iranian officials, in which both sides reviewed progress so far and talked about future inspection steps.

The IAEAs plan to investigate alleged past nuclear research projects would be discussed at another meeting on January 21 in Tehran, the Finnish nuclear expert said.

This issue had long been on top of the agenda of the IAEA and the six nations negotiating with Tehran, but the agency and the six countries have essentially postponed tackling this sensitive topic in order to focus on Irans current nuclear activities.

Iran met its first obligation under the IAEA-Iran agreement when it allowed inspectors to visit a plant that makes coolant for the plutonium-producing Arak reactor.

In the coming two months, Iran is also expected to grant access to its Gachin uranium mine.

Under the Geneva agreement with these five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany, Iran committed to several steps including stopping enrichment of uranium to higher levels and halting construction of the Arak reactor.

In return, the group of six will suspend some sanctions targeting Iran.

The Geneva agreement is set to be implemented for a period of six months starting in late January, in order to create a timeframe for negotiating a wider-ranging deal that would entail further limitations on Irans nuclear program.

In return, the six world powers have said they would permanently lift all sanctions and would help Iran build additional nuclear power reactors, in addition to the existing Russian-built Bushehr power station.

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