Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iran and six world powers dealing with talks over Tehran's nuclear issues have agreed on new talks on its disputed nuclear program.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will hold nuclear talks with counterparts from the six major world powers at the United Nations this week, EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton announced after her meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister at the UN headquarters, AFP reported.

The EU foreign policy chief said her meeting with Zarif on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly focused on Iran's nuclear energy program.

According to Ashton, she had "a good and constructive discussion" in what was her first face-to-face meeting with Zarif.

"We talked about a number of important issues, but focused on the nuclear issue. We had a good and constructive discussion," Ashton said. She added "I was struck by the energy and determination on the part of the minister."

Zarif is to join the foreign ministers from Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States in a meeting, expected to be held on September 26, to discuss the country's nuclear energy program.

Ashton added that she would represent the P5+1 in a meeting with Zarif in Geneva in October.

EU foreign policy chief also said she looked for every opportunity to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear program, adding: "I hope this will be one."

Meanwhile, Zarif said that Tehran is ready to conduct purposeful negotiations within a specific timeframe to resolve the impasse over the Iranian nuclear energy program, Press TV reported.

He said the nuclear energy issue can be resolved if the current realities of Iran are taken into consideration.

According to Zarif, the timeframe of the nuclear negotiations should be determined based on a realistic perspective.

He pointed to "the deep mistrust between the negotiating sides," and stressed the existence of political will to resolve the nuclear issue, adding confidence-building and allaying concerns are the first main step in that regard.

Zarif, however, emphasized that the legal right of the Iranian nation to peaceful nuclear technology and uranium enrichment cannot be denied.

Some of Western countries accuse Iran in pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

However, Tehran argues that its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes.

Iran also reiterates that its main demand is that its right to uranium enrichment, as stipulated in the NPT, be recognized.