Baghdad talks need new framework - IRI FM

IRI Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Tehran attaches special significance to the upcoming talks with the six major world powers (G5+1) in Baghdad, urging both sides to set new frameworks for the negotiations. “Experts of the two sides should draw a plan to determine next steps in a transparent way and prepare the grounds for building confidence,” Salehi said on Thursday. Iran and the G5+1 - Russia, China, Britain, France, the US and Germany -- wrapped up the first round of their negotiations on April 14 in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have also agreed to hold a new round of talks in Vienna on May 14-15. The Iranian minister expressed hope that during the Baghdad meeting, the participating sides would take “practical steps” to continue talks and resolve problems. He added the Western powers made up Iran's nuclear issue as a means to exert pressure on Tehran, stressing that their one-sided policies against the Islamic Republic should come to an end. He noted that both Tehran and the West should seek to settle differences over Iran's nuclear. Iran's nuclear activities are carried out within the framework of the IAEA regulations, Salehi said, adding “Tehran is ready to discuss all problems in a serious way and without any preconditions.”