EU rep optimistic on Iran nuke deal
Efforts lauded
BRUSSELS, Aug 6, (Agencies): European Union High Representative Josep Borrell is optimistic that the resumption of Iran nuclear talks in Vienna could lead to an agreement, his spokesperson said on Friday.
“The High Representative remains relatively optimistic that it could be possible. But it is up to the parties to eventually agree or disagree” Peter Stano told a news conference in Brussels.
“What I can say at this stage is that discussions and consultations in Vienna continue as of yesterday,” he said.
The main aim is to see how far is it possible to reach an agreement and understanding on the latest proposal by EU High Representative Josep Borrell as the coordinator of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal, Stano clarified.
“What is going on in Vienna is mostly proximity talks. The EU facilitator and coordinator (Enrique Mora) and his team are facilitating the proximity talks between the US and Iranian chief negotiator.
“We hope that it will be possible eventually in Vienna to agree because as High Representative has said that until now in these two years of intense negotiations the space for further compromise, for further agreement has been exhausted. That is why he came up with the new proposal,” he noted.
Effort
“The time has come for one final effort,” added the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy.
The US under Donald Trump’s administration decided in 2018 to withdraw from the JCPOA.
The talks began in Vienna, Austria, in April 2021 with the participation of the remaining parties, France, Germany, the UK, Russia, and China, as well as the European Union, which is acting as the coordinator.
The negotiations in Vienna were paused last March due to outstanding differences.
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Thursday met with European Union High Representative Josep Borrell on the margins of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
They discussed “our shared commitment to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its unjustified war and the resulting global impacts to energy markets and food security,” according to a statement attributable to State Dept. Spokesperson Ned Price.
“The Secretary commended the High Representative for his efforts to achieve a mutual return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and he noted that the United States remains sincere and steadfast in our desire to do so.
“They also discussed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for the Indo-Pacific and the world,” Price added
Iran on Friday issued a public statement saying it is seeking the release of an Iranian national who has been held by Saudi Arabia since this year’s hajj pilgrimage, which concluded a month ago.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the country’s top diplomat Hossein Amirabdollahian issued the call during a phone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart. Iraq has served as mediator and facilitator of talks between rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. The statement did not identify the detainee.