New Iran nuclear talks tentatively set for January 20-22: EU source

Berlin, Jan 8, IRNA -- The next round of talks on Iran's nuclear program is slated to be held from January 20 through 22 in Istanbul, a European Union source told the German Press Agency dpa in Brussels on Friday.

'The meeting has been tentatively scheduled to start on the evening of the 20th, continue on the 21st and to conclude on the morning of the 22nd,' the EU source was quoted saying.

Negotiations between Iran and the 5 plus 1 group - comprising United
Nations Security Council permanent members the United States, Russia,
France, Britain and China, plus Germany - resumed in Geneva early
last month following a 13-month break.

The EU's top diplomat Catherine Ashton will be leading the negotiations
on behalf of G5 plus 1.

According to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, the issue
of uranium enrichment suspension will not be on the agenda when Iran
meets the G5 plus 1 in Istanbul.

Jalili has reiterated Iran's nuclear rights were non-negotiable.

He made clear the main basis for the talks in Istanbul was cooperation on a range of issues for 'reaching common grounds.'

Jalili said the western strategy of combining dialogue and pressure was doomed to fail.

'There will be dialogue within the framework of cooperation and not
pressure,' he said./end