Iran nuclear talks kick off in BaghdadMay 23, 2012 - 16:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) started a new round of talks in Iraq's capital city of Baghdad on Wednesday, May 23. Fars News Agency reports that the first round of talks started at Dar al-Ziafah compound in Baghdad's al-Khazra (Green) zone at 12:30pm local time. Iran's chief negotiator and Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Saeed Jalili leads the Iranian side and EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton presides over the delegations of the six world powers. The meeting will last for two days. Jalili is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and Pacific Affairs Abbas Araqchi, SNSC Undersecretary Ali Baqeri, Foreign Ministry Advisor Hamid Reza Asgari and former Head of the Foreign Ministry's Office for the Political and International Studies Mostafa Dowlatyar. The 5+1 members are represented at the talks by Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, Britain's former Ambassador to Iran Geoffrey Adams, Director-General for Political and Security Affairs at the French Foreign Ministry Jacque Audibert and German Deputy Foreign Minister Hans-Dieter Lucas. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |