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EU calls for nuclear talks as Iran promises to tame rhetoric (Deutsche Welle, 8/18/13)

The international community's chief negotiator in talks about Iran's nuclear program has called for fresh impetus to resolve matters. New Iranian President Hasan Rouhani has promised a change in foreign policy.

Catherine Ashton, the European Union foreign policy head and chief negotiator on Iran's nuclear program, spoke with newly appointed Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif by phone on Saturday. Ashton told Zarif she hoped for progress in negotiations over the country's nuclear program.

The conversation came after Iranian President Hasan Rouhani spoke at Zarif's inauguration ceremony, indicating that future foreign policy would be conducted in a more restrained tone than previously. [...]

Earlier in the day, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani had said that he was eager to resume talks after four rounds of negotiations since last year failed to produce results.

"We are ready to engage in serious and substantial talks without wasting time," Rouhani said, while warning that Iran was not prepared to be bullied by threats from the West.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 20, 2013 2:51 PM
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