Salehi: Milestone Reached in N-Talks

Local Editor

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi described the recent talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 as positive and a milestone in negotiations with the world powers.

"From the latest information I received, I'm happy to say that the outcome of the meeting was positive, that it has been put on the right track and it is moving in the right direction, and that is important," Salehi said at the 5th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum in Vienna.

He further stated: "I would say things are taking a turning point, and I think the Almaty meeting will be a milestone."

In a separate interview with the Austria Press Agency [APA], Salehi was asked about Iran's enriching uranium to 20 percent purity.
Salehi said nearly 100 kg (220 lb) of the roughly 250 kg of uranium Iran has enriched to 20 percent purity so far had been processed into fuel plates for the research reactor.
"So far we have produced two of these plates per month. In the future we want to produce three, four or perhaps even more fuel plates every month. This is how we want to reduce the supply of 20 percent enriched uranium in the medium term," he said.

Asked by APA if he would run for president, Salehi said: "No, I do not feel fit enough for this job."
The last round of the fresh talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 ended in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday.
During the talks Iran and the world powers agreed to hold an experts meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 17-18 and then continue their talks at the level of their top negotiators in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April 5-6.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org