Constructive start to Iran talks, says UK

The British government has welcomed the encouraging start in the resumption of six-party talks with Iran in Geneva over its nuclear program, which it hopes will continue in the spirit of goodwill and flexibility.

"This meeting was a constructive start to what we hope will be an intensive process of dialogue dealing with the core issues of Iran's nuclear program,” said Foreign Office spokesman Barry Marston.

“The first significant bilateral meeting for years between US and Iranian officials shows the possibility of a transformed relationship of trust and mutual respect between Iran and the world,” Marston told IRNA.

Thursday’s talks in Geneva were also hailed by US President Barack Obama as a “constructive beginning” in what could help diminish tensions provoked over Iran’s civilian nuclear program.

"It is vital that these talks are approached with a spirit of flexibility and genuine good will, with the aim of establishing robust safeguards guaranteeing the entirely peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program,” Marston said.

He spoke of ensuring Iran's full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and compliance with its own obligations.

But no mention was made of previous demands for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program, which has been blamed for causing the years of standoff to progress for a resolution.

The Foreign Office spokesman said that “the end of the year will be a significant time to judge the tangible progress of these talks in moving towards these goals.

He hoped by then commitment will be shown to address the issues.

"We have often repeated our recognition of the Iranian people's rights to enjoy the benefits of nuclear energy and the E3+3 have offered to help Iran construct a modern civil nuclear program,” he said.

Marston insisted that the issue does “not concern these rights,” only the need for the Iranian Government to meet its own responsibilities towards the IAEA under the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iran has repeatedly declared that the nuclear issue should be returned back to the rightful UN agency, the IAEA, and should never have been referred on a divided vote to the Security Council and become a highly-politicised dispute.

All countries are entitled under the NPT to enrich uranium for civilian uses with IAEA supervision and Iran has always insisted that it will not give up its legitimate rights.

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