Iranian FM says technical talks not 'easy'

Zarif adds that negotiations need to go forward with "accuracy" and "good will"; meets with Italian Foreign Minister Bonino during her visit.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS
Iran FM Zarif and Italian FM Bonino (photo credit: Reuters)
Iran FM Zarif and Italian FM Bonino
(photo credit: Reuters)
Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino held talks with her Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Sunday in Tehran.
Zarif said resumed talks between Iran and six world powers in Geneva were not "easy" and that negotiations needed to go forward with "accuracy" and "good will".
"Iran and the 5+1 powers must go through talks abroad with seriousness, precision and with good will. The responsibility of our colleagues who last week met in Vienna, and this week are meeting in Geneva for negotiations, they are deciding on an executive level on operations and they must take the necessary measures that there are no misunderstandings on these grounds that have been laid. These are not easy talks. The finer details of the agreements must be considered."
“To achieve a different future and to prepare the necessary ground for turning the mistrust of the past decade into mutual trust, it is necessary for Iran and the P5+1 (permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) to implement what has been agreed upon by the foreign ministers seriously, carefully and with goodwill,” Zarif said at a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart Emma Bonino in Tehran on Sunday, Iran's Press TV reported.
Iran had broken off the discussions in anger at an expanding U.S. sanctions blacklist, but resumed talks in Geneva on Thursday December 19.
Under the November 24 interim accord, Iran will curb its disputed nuclear program in exchange for a limited easing of sanctions that are damaging its oil-dependent economy.
The technical talks - expected to involve nuclear as well as sanctions experts - are meant to translate the political deal into a detailed plan on how to put it into practice.
The Geneva deal was designed to halt Iran's nuclear advances for six months to buy time for negotiations on a final settlement. Scope for diplomacy widened after Iran elected the pragmatic Hassan Rouhani as president in June. He had promised to reduce Tehran's isolation and win sanctions easing.
Bonino's two day visit is the first official trip by an Italian foreign minister after almost ten years, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
The Italian official was set to meet Rouhani and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani later on Sunday, Iranian media reported.