  Iran’s FM: Istanbul to "most probably" host nuclear talks January 18, 2012 - 16:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A new round of talks on Iran's controversial nuclear program will "most probably" take place in Istanbul, Tehran's foreign minister said during a visit to Turkey Wednesday, January 18, AFP said, citing Turkish media. "I am not sure, but most probably it will be in Istanbul," Ali Akbar Salehi said, a year after the last round of talks collapsed. The date will be set in "the near future," Salehi was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. Salehi is also expected to review issues of mutual interests and latest regional developments in talks with a number of senior Turkish officials during his two-day tour of the country. Iranian officials have said Tehran is ready for talks with world powers on its nuclear program, which the West believes masks a drive to develop atomic weapons. Tehran insists the nuclear drive is exclusively for peaceful purposes. In Ankara, Salehi said his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, was in contact with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and European Union chief diplomat Catherine Ashton. The negotiations between the Islamic republic and six world powers - Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany - were last held in Istanbul in January 2011, but made no progress.   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 Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
