EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says the P5+1 group of countries is ready to resume negotiations with Iran as soon as the administration of President Hassan Rouhani appoints its negotiating team.Ashton, who represents the P5+1 group (the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany), made the remark in a phone conversation with Irans new Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, a statement from her spokesperson said.
The EU official congratulated Zarif on his endorsement by the Majlis and his subsequent appointment to the position of foreign minister.
Ashton underlined her continued determination and commitment to seek a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, the statement said.
The EU foreign policy chief expressed the P5+1s preparedness to work with the new Iranian negotiating team as soon as they were appointed.
She confirmed the need for substantial talks that will lead to concrete results swiftly, the statement added.
According to the announcement, Ashton and Zarif agreed to meet soon.
Iran and the P5+1 group have held several rounds of talks on a range of issues, with the main focus being on Irans nuclear energy program.
The two sides wrapped up their latest round of negotiations on April 6 in the Kazakh city of Almaty. An earlier meeting had been held in the city on February 26-27.
The US, Israel and some of their allies falsely claim that Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with Washington and the European Union using the unfounded allegation as a pretext to impose illegal sanctions on Iran.
Tehran strongly rejects the groundless claim over its nuclear activities, maintaining that as a committed signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
By Press TV
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