Major power talks with Iran to resume ‘soon’ — Ashton

Brussels: Talks between Iran and six major powers on Tehran’s nuclear activities should resume “soon,” the European Union’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Thursday.

On her way into a meeting of European foreign ministers in Brussels, Ashton was asked if she was confident the next round of ministerial talks with Iran would happen in February.

“I am confident there will be a meeting soon,” she said.

There have been no high level talks with Iran on its nuclear plans since June last year.

EU diplomats said they offered Iran dates for a meeting in January but didn’t receive a positive answer.

Ashton also said she was watching the situation in Egypt “hour by hour,’ after the imposition of a state of emergency by the government of President Mohammad Mursi.

EU foreign ministers will discuss developments in Egypt later. The EU had been very supportive of Mursi’s government but some diplomats have called for clear conditions to be set on financial aid.

— Dow Jones Newswires