EU foreign policy chief Ashton hails talks with Iran on nuclear programme

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will join the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany this week to discuss the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said yesterday.

"We talked about a number of important issues that focused on the nuclear issue," Ashton said after meeting Zarif ahead of this week's UN General Assembly session. "We had a good and constructive discussion."

Yesterday's talks were the first face-to-face discussions between Ashton and Zarif and come amid hopes for an easing in the West's long dispute with Iran over its nuclear intentions.

Western states claim Iran has been trying to develop nuclear weapons and have imposed economic sanctions. Iran says it is enriching uranium for the purpose of energy production.

The EU, led by Ashton, has been the interlocutor for the talks between Iran and the five permanent council members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - and Germany.

Asked whether there was any possibility of a relaxation of sanctions, which some analysts see as the reason for a more conciliatory approach from Tehran, Ashton said: "What I saw today was energy and determination to try and move forward in our talks.