European Union (EU) and Iran will hold talks on Dec. 6 and 7 in Geneva, Switzerland, a spokesman for the bloc's foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said here on Tuesday.

The EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, will hold talks with Iran's nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Geneva on Dec. 6 and 7 in an effort to solve the Iran nuclear issue.

"We have now received a formal response from the Iranian authorities confirming that Dr Jalili has agreed to Catherine Ashton's proposal to meet in Geneva," the spokesman said.

The EU hopes all issues will be on the table, including Tehran's disputed nuclear program, but Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said that its nuclear program will not be up for negotiation as he argues Iran is enriching uranium for peaceful purpose.

"Talks between Ashton, on behalf of the E3+3 (Britain, France, Germany, United States, Russia and China), and Jalili will now take place Monday and Tuesday of next week," said Ahston's spokesman.

The December meeting will be the first high-level discussions between the two sides since October 2009 and the new round of sanctions imposed on the country in June.