EU’s Ashton doubtful of nuclear deal
Zarif, for his part, said Iran is determined to reach an agreement and has shown good faith and political will
TEHRAN: EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said yesterday a final accord on Iran’s nuclear programme cannot be guaranteed, during a landmark visit that underscores a thaw in Tehran’s ties with the West.
Ashton is in Tehran on an official visit that comes after Iran signed a preliminary deal in November with world powers under which it agreed to curb its disputed nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The breakthrough was made possible after last year’s election of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, viewed as a relative moderate.
The so-called P5+1 — UN Secu- rity Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany -hopes to reach final agreement by July 20, when the initial pact is due to expire.
Agreement
“This interim agreement is really important but not as important as a comprehensive agreement (which is)... difficult, challenging, and there is no guarantee that we will succeed,” Ashton told a joint news conference in Tehran with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
The trip is the first to Iran by a European Union foreign affairs chief since 2008, thanks to the November deal that has raised hopes for diplomacy to resolve the nuclear issue.
The next high-level talks are scheduled in Vienna on March 17 and will be followed by more rounds until July. Zarif, for his part, said Iran held up its end of the bargain and it was up to the other side to finalise the accord.
“Iran is determined to reach an agreement. We have shown good faith and political will. We have done our part,” Zarif said.