Germany Underscores Progress in Iran-Powers Talks

(FNA)- German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that Iran and the world powers have made progress in their talks but more efforts are needed to reach a final deal.

Merkel told reporters in a press conference in Berlin on Friday that in nuclear talks between member states of the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) with Iran progress was made, and added that the German government will use all its efforts to reach a political and diplomatic solution in this regard.

"I want to say that Berlin will use its utmost to reach to a diplomatic solution in the talks," she said.

Merkel said that progress has been made in the talks "but we have not reached any final agreement as yet".

Elsewhere, Merkel underlined that Germany and the US have close cooperation in important international issues, including Iran's nuclear issue.

Iran and the G5+1 ended nearly two weeks of negotiations in Vienna on Friday with no final agreement between the two sides which was due to be reached before the July 20 deadline.

The two sides agreed to extend the talks till November 24 for brokering a final deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton in a joint statement after over two weeks of talks stressed the need for more efforts and time to reach an agreement with the world powers over Tehran's nuclear program.

Zarif and Ashton who presided the negotiating sides, emphasized at the end of Iran-G5+1 negotiations that they have held different sessions in different forms and in a constructive atmosphere to reach a final comprehensive agreement.

Due to certain differences over some fundamental issues the two sides agreed to extend the Joint Plan of Action by November 24, they added.