Iran n-talks constructive: EU

Istanbul, April 15 (IANS) Talks between six world powers and Iran on its nuclear programme have been described as "constructive and useful" by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Speaking at a press conference shortly after the meeting ended here Saturday, Ashton said: "We have agreed that the non-proliferation treaty forms a key basis for what must be serious engagement to ensure all the obligations under the treaty are met by Iran while fully respecting Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy."

The top EU official also said that the next meeting between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the US, France, Russia, China, and Britain -- plus Germany (P5+1), will be held May 23 in Baghdad.

"We expect that subsequent meetings will lead to concrete steps toward a comprehensive negotiated solution which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program," Xinhua quoted Ashton as saying.