Switzerland confirms secret Iran talks

Switzerland on Wednesday confirmed reports that Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey met Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani last week, Swiss Radio International (SRI) reported.

"It was during a trip to Europe that Mr Larijani met... Micheline Calmy-Rey for a working dinner," SRI quoted Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman Lars Knuchel as saying.

During the meeting, the two parties "mainly discussed issues of a bilateral nature, as well as the so-called Iranian nuclear issue and, in this context, possible diplomatic solutions were discussed, " Knuchel said.

Larijani was quoted in media reports as saying that negotiations had taken place as the Swiss were interested in becoming active on the nuclear issue.

He also said that current Swiss proposals on solving the nuclear issue were not acceptable, but they could be amended.

According to the media and diplomatic sources, there is already a "Swiss plan" in existence, which calls for a simultaneous suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment program and international sanctions. It has never been confirmed by the Swiss Foreign Ministry.

This latest meeting was the second time this year that Calmy- Rey had met Larijani. In February the two held informal discussions. Two days later the Swiss imposed sanctions on Iran, which were in line with a United Nations Security Council resolution passed last year.

Switzerland also represents the United States' interests in Iran after Washington broke off diplomatic relations with Tehran in 1979.

Source: Xinhua