Istanbul agreements lay groundwork for Iran-Powers Baghdad talks

The agreements reached by Iran and the six world powers in Istanbul, Turkey, last month lay the groundwork and basis for the upcoming talks between the two sides in Baghdad, said the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman here Tuesday. Speaking to Fars News Agenc/FNA/ in the Northeastern city of Mashhad, Ramin Mehman-Parast noted Iran's upcoming negotiations with the Group 5+1 in the Iraqi capital, and said, "The Istanbul agreements lay the groundwork for the Baghdad talks, but the deputies of Jalili and Ashton are studying the groundwork of the upcoming talks." "If the same positive atmosphere and the cooperation approach (in Istanbul) reigns (in Baghdad), we can see positive results in the upcoming talks," he continued. Iran and the six world powers resumed negotiations in Istanbul on April 14 after a year of stalled talks and are due to continue their negotiations in Iraq's capital city, Baghdad, on May 23.