Alma Ata to host new round of Iranian nuclear talks

Alma Ata is hosting another round of talks about the Iranian nuclear program. Spokesman of EU Chief Diplomat Catherine Ashton, Michael Mann, said that Iran had presented its proposals to six mediators in February and expects a clear response to the initiatives.

Mann explained that the mediators never planned to deprive Iran of the right for peaceful nuclear developments. However, Iran causes concerns of the IAEA and the UN.

Iranian Vice Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Reza Bahonar said that the six mediators were only trying to gain time.

The Iranian delegation includes Chairman of the Supreme Council for National Security Sayid Jalili and his deputy Ali Bageri, Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi, an advisor of foreign minister Khamid Reza Askari and former Iranian Ambassador to the UK Rasul Movakhedian. Russia is represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, US by Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, UK by Director of Department for Political Affairs of Foreign Office Simon Gass, Germany by director of Foreign Ministry Hans-Dieter Lucas, China by foreign minister’s assistant Mao Jaosuy, France by director general for political affairs and security. Catherine Ashton is heading the delegation.