Summary: 1 October 2009, Geneva - Introductory remarks by Javier SOLANA, European Union High Representative for the CFSP, at the press conference in Geneva following his meeting with Saeed JALILI, Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council
Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), had a meeting today in Geneva with Saeed JALILI, Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, to discuss the Iranian nuclear dossier. The High Representative was accompanied at the meeting by the political directors of the EU3+3 (France, Germany United Kingdom, China, Russia, United States). Mr SOLANA held a press conference after the meeting at which he made the following introductory
remarks:
"Good afternoon. We had a full day of talks with an Iranian delegation led by Dr Saeed Jalili, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Today's meeting took place after 15 months of pause in discussions with Iran on the nuclear issue.
It represented the start of what we hope will be an intensive process. I ought to mention here, as I underlined to Dr Jalili, that the significance of this meeting was enhanced by the full participation of the US for the first time.
On our side we based ourselves on the agreement by Ministers in New York last week in the framework of our dual-track policy. We put on the table all of the issues which we feel need to be discussed. This includes the proposals made to Iran last year.
I went into some detail about how the freeze-for-freeze proposal should be taken forward as a way to full negotiations. I also underlined the need for Iran to be fully transparent to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) on all elements of its nuclear programme, especially following recent developments. I should mention that I have been in direct contact with Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei during today.
I and all the representatives of the six countries were united in underlining the importance of full transparency and of rebuilding confidence through practical steps. In the course of the day we had both plenary meetings and bilateral discussions allowing for detailed exchanges on all issues.
We agreed to intensify dialogue in coming weeks and expect progress in the following areas:
First, there will be a second meeting before the end of October. An agenda for that meeting will be worked out through diplomatic channels. It will focus on nuclear issues, including proposals previously put forward by both sides. It will also deal with global issues that any of the parties wish to address.
Second, Iran has told us that it plans to cooperate fully and immediately with the IAEA on the new enrichment facility near Qom, and will invite IAEA experts to visit the facility soon, we expect within the next couple of weeks.
Third, in consultations with the IAEA and on the margins of today's meeting, it was agreed in principle that low enriched uranium produced in Iran would be transported to third countries for further enrichment and fabrication into fuel assemblies for the Tehran Research Reactor, which produces isotopes for medical applications.
Details will be worked out in a meeting of experts from the IAEA and interested countries in Vienna on 18 October so that implementation can begin as soon as possible.
In conclusion, I should say that this is only a start and we shall need to see progress through some of the practical steps we have discussed today."
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