IAEA, Iran begin two day negotiations in Vienna | WPN World People News

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran Monday began two-day talks here with the UN nuclear watchdog urging Tehran to grant access to military sites where the nuclear programmes are being conducted.

Ahead of the talks at the Iranian diplomatic mission in Vienna, Herman Nackaerts, deputy director general of IAEA told reporters that Iran should now engage on issues of substance with the UN agency, which is investigating suspicions that Tehran may be seeking nuclear weapons capability.

"The aim of our two days is to reach agreement on (an) approach to resolve all outstanding issues with Iran, in particular clarification of the possible military dimensions remains our priority," Nackaerts said.

The negotiations are being held ahead of a new round of talks between Tehran and the 51 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany), scheduled to be held in Baghdad on May 23.

"It is important now that we can engage on the substance of these issues and that Iran let us have access to people, documents, information, and sites," he added.

Iranian and IAEA officials made no comments after the talks.

Tehran Times reports that on May 4, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano had said that gaining access to the Parchin military site, which is located southeast of Tehran, will be the priority for it when it resumes talks with Iran.

During earlier talks from January 29 to 31 and February 21 to 22 , Tehran had rejected requests by the IAEA delegations to allow them to inspect the Parchin site during their visits to Iran.

Iran has been insistent that a framework must be agreed on for any access or visit.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov has meanwhile urged the developed nations to take measures necessary to lift the sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program.'
Speaking to IRNA on Monday, Gatilov stated that the sanctions should be lifted, but Iran should also abide by its commitments to the terms of international agreements in regard to its nuclear activities.

"The evidence shows that Iran is taking steps toward fulfilling its international commitments in this regard," Gatilov said, reports Iranian state-run news agency IRNA.

The UN Security Council has approved four rounds of sanctions on Iran in order to pressurize the country to abandon any defence related nuclear programme.

Gatilov also ruled out the possibility of the United Nations Security Council imposing new sanctions on Iran.

The Russian deputy foreign minister added, "The mechanism of sanctions is inconsistent with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. In addition, the option of sanctions is no longer effective in international relations."

Gatilov described the measures taken to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program through diplomatic channels as "positive" and hailed Tehran's decision to engage in talks.

He added, "All sides are hopeful for a political settlement of (the dispute over) Tehran's nuclear programme, and there is high motivation to achieve this purpose in the next round of negotiations.A political approach should be adopted, and incentives should be offered to Iran."

Source: Russia News.Net