In Paris, Kerry Cites Progress on Iran Talks

Secretary of State John Kerry says it is up to Iran, which asserts that it has a peaceful nuclear program, to "show the world that it is indeed exactly what they say." Kerry commented on Saturday in a joint news conference in Paris with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. As he has asserted in previous comments, Kerry said there has been progress in talks between Iran and the world powers involved in nuclear negotiations, but gaps remain. The two sides are hoping to reach a framework agreement by the end of this month and a final agreement by the end of June. "We have a critical couple of weeks ahead of us," said Kerry. "We are all mindful that the days are ticking by, but we are not feeling a sense of urgency that we have to get any deal. We have to get the right deal," he said. Fabius said negotiators needed a "solid agreement" that would provide regional security, but added that there remains work to do. Iran is seeking a deal that provides relief from crippling sanctions, while most major world powers want an agreement that prevents Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Kerry said he and Fabius also discussed efforts to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria as well as Libya's unrest. Kerry and Fabius also met Saturday with British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond and German Foreign Minister Walter Steinmeier. The secretary of state is wrapping a week-long trip to Europe and the Middle East that has focused largely on Iran nuclear negotiations. Earlier this week, he had a series of meetings in Montreux, Switzerland, with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif. Later he met with Gulf Cooperation Council members in Riyadh, where they discussed concerns about Iran's widening influence in the region. Kerry said that he expected to meet with Zarif again on March 15.



from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1KBIX0S