China tells Iran to 'seize opportunity' to improve international relations before nuclear talks
President Xi Jinping says ‘dialogue momentum’ must be maintained
China’s president told his Iranian counterpart to “seize the opportunity” to improve relations with world powers, as diplomats head to Geneva hoping to clinch a preliminary deal to ease a nuclear dispute between Tehran and the West.
Wednesday’s negotiations will be the third round between Iran and the six powers in just a month. Two weeks ago, they came close to sealing an initial accord to curb Iran’s nuclear activity in exchange for limited relief from sanctions.
China hopes Iran seizes the opportunity, maintains the dialogue momentum and seeks the greatest common factor to strive for the best results
China, Iran’s top oil customer and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has opposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran such as those imposed by Washington and the European Union, and has called repeatedly for talks to resolve the decade-long dispute.
Policymakers on all sides have said an interim accord could be within reach during talks this week.
President Xi Jinping praised Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for his government’s “proactive conduct” on nuclear talks and its efforts to improve ties with the international community, the official Xinhua news agency said late on Tuesday.
“China hopes Iran seizes the opportunity, maintains the dialogue momentum and seeks the greatest common factor to strive for the best results,” Xinhua cited Xi as saying in a phone call with Rouhani.
China will continue to exert a proactive influence in the talks to create conditions for a long-term resolution, Xi said.