Iranian officials on Sunday voiced their satisfaction at the latest high-level talks between major countries and Tehran over its controversial nuclear programs in Geneva, Switzerland.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili (L) is pictured before a meeting on nuclear issues with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana (R), and US Undersecretary of State William Burns (3rdR) in Geneva. [Agencies]
"Holding any talks is considered a step forward," the official IRNA news agency quoted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying.
"Yesterday's negotiation is regarded as one of these forward-moving negotiations," he added.
He was referring to the talks between Iranian top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana Saturday in Geneva, in the presence of U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns and senior diplomats from China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.
Solana told a press conference after the talks that "there is always progress in these talks, but insufficient," adding the one-day meeting was "constructive."
He voiced hope that the long-running Iran nuclear issue should be solved through cooperation instead of confrontation.
However, U.S. spokesman Sean McCormack warned after the talks that Iran should either accept the incentives, or face "further isolation."
