  Iran nuclear talks kick off in Baghdad May 23, 2012 - 16:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran and the Group 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) started a new round of talks in Iraq's capital city of Baghdad on Wednesday, May 23. Fars News Agency reports that the first round of talks started at Dar al-Ziafah compound in Baghdad's al-Khazra (Green) zone at 12:30pm local time. Iran's chief negotiator and Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Saeed Jalili leads the Iranian side and EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton presides over the delegations of the six world powers. The meeting will last for two days. Jalili is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and Pacific Affairs Abbas Araqchi, SNSC Undersecretary Ali Baqeri, Foreign Ministry Advisor Hamid Reza Asgari and former Head of the Foreign Ministry's Office for the Political and International Studies Mostafa Dowlatyar. The 5+1 members are represented at the talks by Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, Britain's former Ambassador to Iran Geoffrey Adams, Director-General for Political and Security Affairs at the French Foreign Ministry Jacque Audibert and German Deputy Foreign Minister Hans-Dieter Lucas.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year.Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan.Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan.Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |
