Iran agrees on new terms of cooperation with IAEA

Al-Shorfa Online and wire services
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-09-22

Salehi, Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, addressed the 53rd International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna on Sept. 14. (Reuters/Herwig Prammer)

VIENNA — Iranian nuclear energy chief Ali Akbar Salehi has agreed to new terms of cooperation with the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency on its investigation into Tehran’s nuclear activities, according to a top Iranian official in Vienna on Sept. 15.

The IAEA did not comment immediately on the deal, which coincides with a diplomatic thaw between Iran and world powers. Increasing concerns about Iran’s push for nuclear capability resulted in the scheduling of talks on Oct. 1.

Salehi declined to provide details on the new terms of cooperation, except to say that it would not cover the IAEA’s probe into intelligence reports suggesting that Iran covertly researched nuclear weapon designs. Iran has asserted the reports are fabricated and considers the issue closed.

“We managed to come to an agreement to set a new framework for improved and more extensive cooperation in the future,” Salehi told reporters, summarising talks with IAEA chief Mohamed el-Baradei during the annual meeting of the Agency’s 150 member states.

“Details will be revealed at the appropriate time. We hope to witness improved cooperation [with the IAEA] in the future. We also think the international environment is very helpful in this issue.”

EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, who led Western negotiations with Iran, told reporters in Brussels that the talks would probably be held in Turkey. He did not consider it an appropriate time to talk about sanctions, however.

“At this point in time we are going to try to enter into negotiations,” he said. “Let’s leave it at that.”

Solana, who represented the P5+1, including the U.S., France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia, was cautious when asked how much he thought the new talks could achieve. But he urged Tehran to take advantage of the increased engagement of the U.S. administration in the negotiation process.

In another development, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sept. 15 that Iran is ready to hold “constructive talks” with the P5+1 next month after it submits new proposals on its disputed nuclear programme.

“The Iranian ‘package’ reflects a desire to have ‘deep and constructive talks’ with the Six,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said.

[

Bookmarking

Please comment on this article so that we can improve the experience of viewing this website.