Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Russia’s Foreign Ministry official has said a new round of talks between the six world powers and Iran will be held by December 20 at the level of political directors.

Sergey Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying that the meeting will certainly take place before the New Year. “The meeting will not be held in Vienna and the remaining issues will be resolved soon," Ryabkov said.

He also informed that Catherine Ashton will act as a special adviser and continue to coordinate the nuclear negotiations.

He added that new EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini intends to personally participate in the ministerial meetings. Ashton will report “regularly” to her successor Mogherini on the progress of the negotiations.

Mogherini, who is the Italian Foreign Minister, replaced Ashton as EU foreign policy chief on November 1. The six powers had asked Ashton to stay on as their chief negotiator until what was then the November 24 deadline for the nuclear talks.

"All this, in our opinion, demonstrates the determination not to lose tempo and dynamics. As before, we will be involved in this process with full responsibility," Ryabkov said.

Iran and the six powers – Russia, China, Britain, France, the U.S. and Germany - are working to reach a final accord aimed at putting an end to the longstanding dispute over Tehran’s nuclear issue.

Last month, the two sides failed to meet the November 24 deadline to sign a permanent nuclear deal. They agreed to extend their discussions until June 2015 so that they could resolve their differences and clinch a historic permanent accord.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed hope that Iran and the P5+1 group could reach a final deal on Tehran’s nuclear issue months “before” June 2015 deadline.

Addressing the Brookings Institution in Washington on December 7, Kerry said Iran and the six countries have all agreed to extend their nuclear negotiations until June 2015, adding, however, that “we’re not looking at seven months.”

“I think the target is three, four months, and hopefully even sooner if that is possible,” said the top U.S. diplomat, stressing that “this process takes time” due to the “complicated” and “technical” nature of the issues on the negotiating table.

Kerry further reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to the interim nuclear deal it inked with the six countries in Geneva, Switzerland, in November 2013.

He also described a “negotiated agreement” as the best way to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue.

“Over the past year, we and our P5+1 partners have been engaged in intense and tough negotiations with the Iranian government in hopes of finding a comprehensive, durable, and verifiable arrangement that resolves all of the international community’s concerns,” Kerry added.

However, following the extension of nuclear talks, the U.S. Senate is mulling over imposition of new sanctions on Iran. The Republicans in the U.S. Congress, which will take the majority from next year, have threatened to impose additional sanctions on Iran.

In the meantime, the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has rejected calls for more sanctions against Iran over country’s nuclear energy program.

"This is not the time to risk a breakdown when we still have a chance for a breakthrough," he said.

Biden's comments come as the Senate is pushing for fresh punitive measures against Tehran. U.S. President Barack Obama has threatened to veto any new sanction legislation.