EU says nuclear talks with Iran in “critical stage”
By Sara Rajabova
European Union has described the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six world powers as being at a "critical stage."
Representatives of Iran and the six states wrapped up their eighth round of negotiations on Tehran's nuclear energy program in Vienna on October 16. The talks which began on October 14 were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief, Catherine Ashton.
Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton, said they are trying hard to make progress and remain fully engaged to achieve a comprehensive solution, Press TV reported.
He added that the diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue are now in a critical phase.
Sources close to the Iranian negotiating team said the main stumbling block in the way of resolving Western disputes over Iran's nuclear program remains the removal of all sanctions, but not the number of centrifuges or the level of enrichment.
Tehran wants the entire removal of sanctions while the U.S. insists that at least the UN-imposed sanctions against Iran should remain in place.
Iran and the six powers - the United States, France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany - are in talks to work out a final deal aimed at ending the longstanding dispute over Tehran's nuclear energy program.
Last November, the two sides clinched an interim nuclear accord, which took effect on January 20 and expired six months later. However, they agreed to extend their talks until November 24 as they remained divided on a number of key issues.