Tehran, Madrid happy with "new horizons" in nuclear talks
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani met with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
During the meeting, Larijani presented a report on his talks with the EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Madrid on Thursday and new plans for the EU common security and said "Clear horizons were opened in talks. "If the opposite side has a serious determination, a constructive agreement can be achieved soon."
Such a "constructive agreement" would pave the way for opening official and comprehensive talks between Iran and the EU on Iran's nuclear case.
Larijani and Solana have so far held two rounds of talks to prepare ground for holding official negotiations.
Solana was the representative of the EU and Group 5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- China, Russia, France, Britain, the U.S. plus Germany).
Zapatero told Larijani that Spain believes in talks as the best solution to Iran's nuclear crisis, adding that in previous talks with Iranian officials and at the international fora, Madrid has always stressed such a stance.
He stated that his country has done its utmost to resolve Iran's nuclear crisis through negotiations and diplomatic ways, stressing that settlement of the case would be important both for Iran and the entire world.
It was the third meeting held between Larijani and Zapatero during the past year.
The SNSC secretary and the Spanish premier also discussed ongoing developments in the Middle East particularly recent bloody events in Lebanon.
"There is a very hard and complicated situation in Lebanon. All friendly, regional and European states should help Lebanon settle the crisis," Larijani said.
Meanwhile, Larijani held a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and a delegation comprising senior Foreign Ministry officials and premier's office.
In the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on Iran's nuclear case and developments in the Middle East.