Iran-G5+1 Talks Opportunity for Making Better Future

(FNA)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani termed the talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) an opportunity for making a better future for nations, and expressed the hope that the two sides can reach an agreement before the November 24 deadline.

Addressing the political elites of the US think-tanks in New York, Rouhani described Iran-Group 5+1 nuclear talks as the opportunity for creating better future for the nations, region and the world as well as for confidence-building, and said that cooperation will not happen in the absence of confidence.

"Confidence-building is more significant than the nuclear issue," he said, noting that if the issue helps promote confidence-building, it can bring about more successes.

Rouhani further pointed out that although the remaining two months is a short time for concluding a deal, if both sides have firm determination for solving the issue, it will be possible to achieve a deal.

He made clear that despite the outstanding differences in nuclear issue, reaching an agreement is possible.

Iran seeks peaceful use of nuclear energy under the supervision of IAEA which has on several occasions verified peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, Rouhani said.

The 7th round of talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 started in New York on Friday.

The two sides held six rounds of negotiations in Vienna to reach a comprehensive deal after they inked an interim agreement in Geneva on November 24.

The Geneva agreement took effect on January 20 and expired six months later on July 20. In July, Tehran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until November 24 after they failed to reach an agreement on a number of key issues.

On Tuesday, Rouhani underlined that Tehran will powerfully continue the talks with the six world powers, but would never give up its inalienable nuclear rights.

In a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, President Rouhani said it was a great mistake to think Iran entered the negotiations under pressure.

“Iran entered negotiations with serious resolve in order to serve the interest of itself and others.”

“As long as the Iranian nation’s rights are not damaged, we are prepared for agreement,” added the Iranian president.

Ban, for his part, praised Iran’s fruitful interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its active participation in negotiations with the Group 5+1.

President Rouhani left Tehran on Monday for New York to attend the 69th annual session of the UN General Assembly.