Iran optimistic on six-nation package: FM
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Thursday that his country was optimistic on the six-nation proposals which aims at resolving Iran's nuclear dispute, the state television reported.
"They presented the proposals to us and request our opinion on it, I must say it's a affirmative step forward," said Mottaki, adding the Europeans' attitude this time is quite different from the "take it or leave it" attitude in last year's package.
The minister also said he is optimistic about the rational atmosphere between the two sides, adding "we hope that all sides related to the nuclear negotiation could represent honesty and goodwill."
"When our careful study on the package is over, we will immediately bring forward our opinions and we can start talks," said Mottaki.
Earlier on Wednesday, his ministry's spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said that Iran viewed future talks with the European Union (EU) with hope if logic could dominate the atmosphere of talks.
Local Fars news agency quoted Asefi as saying that "so we should wait and see when interactions turn logical."
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on June 6 presented to Iran a new package over the Iran nuclear issue, which had been agreed by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany in a meeting in Vienna.
The proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran chooses not to comply.
Iran's top officials have expressed cautious optimism over the new package after their meetings with Solana, saying "there were positive steps but also ambiguities in the package, Iran could only accept parts of the proposals and may bring forward its own opinions", which could be a counter-proposal.
Iran has promised to give a formal response after "a carefully study" of the proposals.
The United States has accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under a civilian front, a charge has categorically been denied by Tehran.
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