China hails 'good foundation' of talks
China characterized the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna as positive and constructive on Friday, and said the good outcome bodes well for the next phase, the negotiation of a comprehensive agreement.
"This round of talks will help maintain the momentum of dialogue. It also laid a good foundation for negotiation on a comprehensive agreement," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.
The talks, which ended on Thursday, involved Iran and the P5+1 - China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, the United States and Germany.
All parties showed a willingness to resolve each other's concerns and conducted substantive discussions on the specific elements needed for a comprehensive agreement, Hua said. They also set a timetable for the next round of talks.
Hua briefed the media on the five principles China put forward, including sticking to the process of P5+1 dialogue with Iran; seeking a comprehensive, fair and appropriate long-term solution, following the principle of step-by-step and reciprocal process; creating a favorable atmosphere for dialogue and negotiation; and pursuing a holistic approach addressing both symptoms and root causes of disputes.
The five principles aim to help all parties bridge their differences and build a consensus.
Xinhua
(China Daily 02/22/2014 page7)
