Foreign Secretary: Iran talks at crucial moment
3 Jul 2014 10:37 AM
As 20 July deadline
approaches, Foreign Secretary William Hague says a deal is far from certain but
final round of talks must test the possibility to the
full.
The E3+3 (UK, US, Russia, China,
France and Germany), led by Baroness Ashton, are meeting Iran in Vienna for the
start of the final round of negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive deal
on Iran’s nuclear programme. The interim agreement reached in November
last year is due to expire on 20 July. Speaking yesterday, the Foreign
Secretary said:
This is a crucial moment in
international efforts to resolve one of the most challenging foreign policy
issues of our day. The UK is fully committed to reaching an agreement which
ensures Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful. To achieve
this, Iran will need to be realistic about the steps required to resolve the
international community’s serious concerns about its nuclear programme.
We will not accept a deal at any price. A deal that does not provide sufficient
assurances that Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon is not in the interests
of the UK, the region or the international community.
Achieving an agreement is far
from certain. Significant differences remain between the E3+3 and Iran which
are yet to be bridged. But I am convinced that the current negotiations are the
best opportunity we have had in years to resolve this issue. Over the next
three weeks, an intensive effort will be required by all sides. We will
continue to work closely with our E3+3 partners to test to the full the scope
for achieving the deal the international community requires. The benefits of a
comprehensive deal for Iran are clear: if Iran is willing to take the steps
needed, significant economic benefits will follow. Ultimately, this would lead
to the lifting of all nuclear related sanctions and Iran being treated like any
other non-nuclear weapons state.
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