Iran entering Istanbul talks with 'constructive' approach

14 April 2012 | 04:36 Code : 1899982 Latest Headlines
TEHRAN, April 13 (MNA) – Iran says it has adopted a “constructive” attitude toward negotiations with the six major powers, which will start in Istanbul on Saturday.
An Iranian delegation, headed by Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, arrived in Istanbul on Friday to resume negotiations with the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany).

Deputy SNSC Secretary Ali Bagheri and two other Iranian officials are accompanying Jalili.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton represents the 5+1 group in nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

The sides have agreed to meet in Baghdad after the Istanbul talks.

The date for the Baghdad talks will be set after the end of the negotiations in Istanbul.

Bagheri held separate talks with Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Istanbul on Friday.

During his meeting with the Chinese official, Bagheri said that Iran will present new initiatives in the talks with the major powers and “has entered the talks with a constructive approach.”

The last round of talks between Iran and the 5+1 group was held in Istanbul in late January 2011.