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Iran's nuclear program

EU foreign policy chief to arrive on visit to Iran

TEHERAN, March 08, 1:18 /ITAR-TASS/. Relations with the European Union and the Iranian nuclear dossier will be in focus of a visit to Iran by the European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, who arrives in Tehran on Saturday, March 8.

On March 9 and 10, the European Union foreign policy chief will hold top-level talks with Iran’s official representatives, Ashton’s spokesperson Michael Mann said.

The Fars news agency on Friday quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi as saying that Ashton would meet with members of the Iranian government, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif.

The EU foreign policy chief pays this visit to Iran ahead of a regular round of consultations between Iran and the Sextet of international mediators (Great Britain, China, Russia, the United States, France and Germany) due to take place in Vienna on March 17-20. The Iranian delegation to these consultations will be led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif. During her stay in Tehran, Ashton will meet with Zarif to discuss ways of lasting settlement of contradiction between Iran and the West in the nuclear sphere.

Another Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, told the Fars news agency that the EU foreign policy chief was expected to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Her plans also include a visit to Iran’s historical centre, the city of Isfahan.

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