Int’l community calls for more efforts from Iran, P5+1 to reach nuclear deal
By Sara Rajabova
European diplomats urged the six world powers and Iran to intensify efforts for reaching a comprehensive nuclear deal by the November 24 deadline.
"Postponing the final tough decisions ahead is likely to provide more opportunities for those opposing the diplomatic track to spoil this process," a group of former and current European diplomats said in a statement released on November 5, Press TV reported.
"This is especially so when creative technical solutions have been formulated and a deal is within reach," the statement further read.
The statement was signed by the former foreign minister of Spain, Italy and Sweden, as well as Javier Solana, the former EU high representative for foreign and security policy; President and CEO of International Crisis Group Jean-Marie Guehenno; Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag (a German legislative body) Norbert Rottgen; and Robert Cooper, a former UK diplomat.
The diplomats noted that the deal should address potential international concerns about Iran's nuclear energy program and should respect "Iranian legitimate aspirations and sovereignty."
They also said Europe must seize this moment to encourage the negotiating parties to address the outstanding areas through reasonable compromises while steering clear of issues that are not essential to a good deal.
"Europeans should also work with the US administration in reassuring skeptical regional allies of the long-term strategic benefits entailed in a final nuclear deal," they said.
They also noted that the compressive deal will also "reshape the West's engagement with Iran by opening new options for pursuing overlapping regional interests."
Noting that the two sides are "closer than ever before to settling the nuclear file," they said the goals "of non-proliferation, global and regional security, de-escalation of burning conflicts in the Middle East and the demonstrative effect of successful multilateral diplomacy in these troubled times will all significantly benefit if a good deal is achieved."
The diplomats also warned that the cost of "failed negotiations should also be borne in mind."
The statement comes as Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - France, Britain, the US, Russia, China - plus Germany are set to open a new round of discussions over Tehran's nuclear program in Oman on November 11.
Iran and the P5+1 group countries have stepped into the final stage to reach an agreement over the long-lasting nuclear dispute.
Prior to the new round of talks, U.S. President Barack Obama said it is "an open question" whether international negotiators and Iran can reach a deal over Tehran's nuclear program. He said with a deadline looming, the next three to four weeks are highly important, AP reported.
Obama credited sanctions against Iran for prompting Iranian leaders to negotiate seriously. He described the talks as constructive, however, added that some members of the Iranian political elite still have strong anti-American views.
Obama's remarks came days before Secretary of State John Kerry is to meet with top diplomats to Iran and the European Union to discuss how to break the years-long deadlock before deadline.
Meanwhile, Kerry said ahead of the talks that Iran has the right to operate a civil nuclear program, but not a military one.
He also noted the November 24 deadline for concluding Iranian nuclear negotiations will not be extended, adding that "we're not talking or thinking about going beyond that date."
The U.S. and other world powers urges Iran to dismantle nuclear activities that Western countries say are aimed at constructing nuclear weapons. However, Iran insists it has a right to develop its nuclear program, which it says is designed for civil purposes only.