Iran expects to resume nuclear talks with EU

Iran expects to resume its nuclear talks with the European Union (EU) after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s board meeting this week, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Wednesday.

"The atmosphere exists for such negotiations to be held after the Vienna meeting" of the United Nation's nuclear watchdog, Mottaki told the press, adding that the negotiations should have a clear goal and a proper deadline.

But he also stressed that Iran has the right to develop a full civilian nuclear energy program as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Therefore, he argued that Iran is well justified to develop the program on its own territory.

Mottaki said that earlier this month, Iran invited Britain, France and Germany to resume the nuclear talks, but has not yet received a formal reply.

The two-day IAEA board meeting is due to start in Vienna on Thursday,with the Iranian nuclear program being a key issue on its agenda.

Analysts predict that there will be no push this time by Washington and the EU to refer Iran's case to the UN Security Council for they want to give Russia more time to broker a compromise on transferring Iran's uranium enrichment program to Russia.

Iran resumed uranium conversion on Aug. 8, which resulted in the collapse of its talks with the EU.

Source: Xinhua