EU’s double-standard approach: Wants nuclear talks with Iran, extends sanctions

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday that Iran is waiting for proposal from EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, to set a meeting for fresh talks on the nuclear issue. 

After receiving letter from Ashton, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili will review her proposals, said Ramin Mehmanparast during his weekly press briefing.
  
“We are waiting for a date and venue of the next meeting to be declared by Ashton for negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 group,” Mehmanparast told reporters.

Ashton wrote a letter dated October 21, 2011 to Iran reiterating an offer to resume negotiations. Mehmanparast said Tuesday that, "Iran has already given its response to Mrs Ashton."

In response, EU spokesman said Iran must respond to the letter dismissing the Iranian call for the EU to set a new date for negotiations. "They are getting things the wrong way around," Michael Manntold AFP. "First things first. They must first respond to the letter and then we'll take it from there."

"We wrote to them saying in broad terms, if you want to show that your nuclear program is peaceful, then we are happy to listen to that and that will involve discussions," Mann said. "They have to respond. If their response is meaningful, then we will take it from there," he said. "The ball is on the Iranian side."
As part of EU's double standard approach with the Iranians, Mann assured that there can't be any pre-conditions from the Iranian side and “also we continue to work on extending our sanctions”.