Iran 'waiting' for EU to fix meeting on nuclear issues

(TEHRAN) - Iran is "waiting" for the European Union to fix a meeting for talks to resume with world powers on its nuclear programme, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

"We are waiting for a date and venue of the next meeting to be declared by Mrs (EU foreign policy chief Catherine) Ashton for negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 group," Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters.

When a proposal is received, Iran's team of negotiators "will express their point of view and through contacts there will be a final agreement" between both sides on a meeting, he said.

The 5+1 group comprises permanent UN Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus non-permanent member Germany.

The UN Security Council has imposed four sets of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, which Western countries believe masks a drive to develop atomic weapons, despite Tehran's denials.

The United States and its allies have broadened the sanctions with their own, unilateral sanctions against Iran.

Ashton wrote a letter dated October 21, 2011 to Iran reiterating an offer to resume negotiations. Early December she said she was still waiting for a response from Iran.

Mehmanparast said Tuesday that, "Iran has already given its response to Mrs Ashton."