China to send envoy to push Iran talks

Feb 10, 2012, 10:19 GMT

Beijing - China plans to send an envoy to Iran next week to promote multilateral talks on Iran's nuclear programme, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu was scheduled to visit Iran Sunday and Monday to 'exchange views with the Iranian side' on the nuclear issue, ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.

Liu said China wanted to 'realize the early resumption of dialogue' between Iran and six nations: the five permanent UN Security Council members - the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain - plus Germany.

'We consistently stand for the opinion that dialogue and cooperation are the correct way to solve Iran's nuclear issue,' Liu said.

He said it was also vital to promote cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran on Monday said 'some positive steps' were taken during the three-day visit last week by IAEA inspectors that was aimed at settling the dispute over the aims of its nuclear programme.

The inspectors were scheduled to visit Iran again this month.

Iran has on several occasions rejected the main demand by the six nations that it suspend uranium enrichment until the nature of its nuclear programmes can be clarified.

It insisted that its nuclear projects are solely for peaceful purposes.

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