The head of the European Union on foreign affairs Catherine Ashton, as well as the representatives of the six countries that participated in negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program, conducted talks with the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili on December 6 and 7. 

The negotiations took place in Geneva, and the sides had in-depth discussions on issues of mutual interest, including the Iranian nuclear program, problems of global and regional security, and the strengthening of the nonproliferation regime. Representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry also took part in the talks.

As a result of the meeting, the participants succeeded at mapping steps for future dialogue. The parties also reaffirmed the goal of cooperation and the articulation of common principles. A follow-up meeting with Iranian officials is scheduled to occur in Istanbul close to the end of January.

Before the negotiations in Geneva, Iran refused to discuss its nuclear program in the six-nation format. The six countries that are parties to the negotiations process on the Iranian nuclear program include the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and China, as well as Germany.

Tehran even denied a request from Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian representative of the sextet, who wished to have a bilateral meeting with Jalili before the talks with the other countries.

Ryabkov did manage to meet with Jalili and his deputy Ali Bagheri Kani on the sidelines of the multi-lateral talks. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also held bilateral meetings with U.S. Under Secretary of State William Burns, and China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Hailong.