Iraq Ready to Host Iran-Powers Talks
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iraq underlined preparedness to host the upcoming talks between Tehran and the world powers in Baghdad on May 23, after the two sides held positive negotiations in Istanbul last month.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that Baghdad had prepared all grounds for holding the meeting between Iran and Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) in an ideal atmosphere.
Zebari said Wednesday that the positive achievements of the next round of talks between Iran and the G5+1 in Baghdad would benefit the entire region.
The Iraqi top diplomat made the remarks in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi on the sidelines of the ongoing ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement's member states.
He stressed that the positive outcome of the May 23 meeting would also strengthen Iraq's status as a player on the regional and international scenes.
Iran and the Group 5+1 resumed negotiations in Istanbul on April 14 after more than a year of stalled talks and are due to continue their negotiations in a second meeting in Iraq's capital city, Baghdad, on May 23.