Iranian Speaker Sees Istanbul Talks 'A Step Forward'
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the Saturday talks between Iran and the six world powers in Istanbul, Turkey, were a step forward towards finding a negotiated end to the two sides' differences over Tehran's nuclear issue.
"The change in the paradigm dominating the talks from an adventurist view to a rationale of logic on the basis of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) is considered as a step forward," Larijani said on Tuesday, addressing an open session of the parliament.
Yet, he declined to state a definite judgment over the Istanbul talks, saying, "No perfect judgment can be presented about the results of these talks for now because we are pay attention to the change in the West's behavior."
Larijani reiterated that the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) has understood that it should appreciate the opportunity and use the international laws like the NPT for more effective interaction with Iran instead of using double-standard attitudes.
After a year of stalled talks, Iran and the G5+1 eventually resumed their negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey, on April 14 and are due to hold a second round in Iraq's capital city, Baghdad.
The two sides attended two meetings at Istanbul's Lutfil Kirdar Hall on Saturday. Ashton led the delegations of the world powers, while the Iranian side was headed by chief negotiator and Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Saeed Jalili.
Both sides voiced satisfaction with the results of the talks and are now working on a draft agreement on cooperation before the start of the Baghdad talks.