Statement from EU High Representative after talks with Iran

Statement of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on behalf of the E3+3 following talks with Iran

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, issued the following statement today:

"Together with the Political Directors of China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, I met on 5 and 6 April 2013 in Almaty with the Iranian nuclear negotiator Dr. Saeed Jalili and his delegation in order to address the international community's concerns about the Iranian nuclear programme.

"We would like to thank the Kazakh government once again for its excellent hospitality.

"Over two days of talks, we had long and intensive discussions on the issues addressed in our confidence-building proposal put forward during the last round of talks with Iran in Almaty on 26-27 February. It became clear that the positions of the E3+3 and Iran remain far apart on the substance.

"We have therefore agreed that all sides will go back to capitals to evaluate where we stand in the process. I will be in touch with Dr. Jalili soon in order to see how to go forward".

ENDS

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