World Powers to Meet in Brussels over Iran

 (FNA)- Top negotiators from the six major world powers are scheduled to meet in Brussels to discuss Iran's nuclear case as they are planning to arrange a new round of talks with the Islamic Republic.

A western official said that top negotiators from Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany (Group 5+1) have agreed to meet in Brussels on November 21.

The Brussels meeting will be a prelude to the possible resumption of talks between Iran and the G5+1 early next year.

Helga Schmid, deputy to the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the G5+1, said earlier this month that time is "of the essence" in securing an outcome in talks with Iran over its nuclear energy program.

On Friday Russia called for the immediate resumption of talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany).

Speaking to radio Voice of Russia on Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said there is no reason to postpone the talks.

Now that have been cleared who has the final say in the US foreign policy, there is no reason to delay talks between the two sides, he said.

"We should take action to proceed with talks between the two sides as Tehran as well as other states know that who decides the US foreign policy," the Russian diplomat said.

Once again we invite all parties to come back to negotiating table, he said.

Late in October, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the world powers in talks with Tehran, said she would soon have talks with Iran's lead negotiator Saeed Jalili.

Iran and the Group 5+1 have held several rounds of talks this year.

Speaking at a press conference in mid September after bilateral meeting with Ashton, Jalili described his meeting with Ashton as "good", and said, "At this meeting we reviewed the discussions raised in the Moscow talks and the contents of the experts meeting (in Istanbul in July), and we studied the common points which can serve as a platform for cooperation and further talks."

"We are always ready for talks and we have declared that we are ready to hear your response to Iran's plan," Jalili added.

He said Ashton is due to inform the Group 5+1 member states of the conclusions reached in Istanbul meeting.

Jalili indicated that he and Ashton have come to the conclusion that "the viewpoints raised in Moscow and Istanbul have reached a common point", and now a decision can be made for the start of the next round of talks.

Ashton, too, described the talks as "useful" and "constructive".

"While it was not a formal negotiating round it was a useful and constructive meeting," said a declaration issued by EU High Representative Ashton's spokesman Michael Mann after a meeting between Ashton and Jalili.

The talks followed negotiations in Moscow in June, a meeting of the respective heads' deputies in July and phone calls made over the summer.