Iranian negotiator says talks reached ‘turning point’February 27, 2013 - 17:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Negotiations with world powers over how to curb Iran's nuclear program have reached a "turning point" for the better after nearly breaking down last year, the Islamic republic's top official at diplomatic talks said Wednesday, Feb 27, according to The Associated Press. Saeed Jalili, the secretary for Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said a new offer this week by the world powers to compromise is more realistic than what has been offered in the past. He described the new offer "including some relief from international sanctions" as a step to build confidence between the two sides after similar negotiations in Moscow were nearly derailed last June. "In this round of talks we have witnessed that despite all the attitudes during the last eight months, they tried to get closer to our viewpoints," Jalili told reporters at the close of two days of talks in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, speaking through an interpreter. "We believe this is a turning point." Jalili did not detail what the sanctions relief might include, or what Iran was willing to do to in exchange. If they offer steps aimed at strengthening trust, this is important, he said. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |