EU: Nuke talks with Iran "constructive"

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-24-2007 09:00

Iranian former chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, right, answers questions with his successor Saeed Jalili, left, at a press conference after talks with European Union Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, is holding his first international meeting since his appointment, meeting Tuesday in Rome with the European Union's foreign policy chief on Tehran's contentious nuclear program.(AP Photo)

Iran and the EU have described their nuclear talks in Rome as constructive. Negotiators say they hope for a fresh round of talks by the end of November.

This is the first meeting for Iran's newly-appointed chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana．

Tuesday's meeting on Iran's nuclear programme is seen as the continuation of those in June between Solana and Ali Larijani, who resigned over the weekend.

Both Jalili and Solana say they have had a "constructive" meeting and hope for further cooperation.

EU Foriegn Policy Chief, Javier Solana, said, "We announced once again that by the end of the month of November Dr. Baradei must sent a report to the board of governance of the agency. They will clarify the cooperation, the level of cooperation between Tehran, Iran and the agency."

Jalili says he will continue along the same lines as his predecessor Larijani. He says Tehran supports dialogue with the West and sees the talks as an opportunity to forge better ties with Europe.

The US and some of its allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons and have demanded it halt uranium enrichment. Tehran denies the claim, saying its program is for peaceful purposes, including generating electricity.

World powers have agreed to delay further penalties on Iran at least until November to see if Iran cooperates with IAEA inspectors and to await a report by the EU policy chief.