Ashton to discuss Iranian nuclear issue with Aragchi in Brussels

EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, said she will be meeting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss implementation of the interim deal between P5+1 and Tehran. Iran and the P5+1 (Britain, China, France, Russia, the US and Germany) concluded the interim agreement in Geneva on 24 November. "It is at their request that I am meeting them. He is coming with some messages from (foreign minister) Mr. (Mohammad Javad) Zarif with whom I am in touch on regular basis. It will be interesting to listen to him," she told a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers here this evening. Ashton said she debriefed the EU ministers on the agreement reached with Iran. She noted that EU technical experts began discussion with their Iranian counterparts last week in Vienna on the implementation of this agreement. "We should refrain from actions that could delay the process," she said and added that the P5+1 have made a commitment to refrain from additional sanctions during the implementation period. "I am expecting the technical discussions to resume very quickly. I am expecting us to move forward to agree on the implementation timetable as soon as possible," she said. Ashton said her deputy Helga Schmid will travel tomorrow to Vienna for talks with the IAEA as well about their role in this. "The ambition we have is to have a date agreed that is achievable and then I hope we will move forward from this agreement to deal with a more comprehensive agreement," she said. "It is a very sensitive diplomatic process. I will personally remain very committed on a daily basis as it is the path to peaceful and swift resolution, " she added.