The European Union foreign policy chief has called for the resumption of talks between the P5+1 group and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program

The European Union foreign policy chief has called for the resumption of talks between the P5+1 group and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Catherine Ashton sent a letter to Secretary of Iran Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, on Tuesday, saying the two sides only had to set a date and a venue for the talks.

"On behalf of China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States of America (the group’s member states), I have offered to resume talks with Iran on the nuclear issue," she said in a televised statement.

"Our overall goal remains a comprehensive negotiated, long-term solution, which restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, while respecting Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, consistent with the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)," Ashton said in the letter.

The letter proposed an initial round of talks to focus on building confidence by developing concrete steps for the future, saying, "In practical terms…our deputies could get together in the near future in order to prepare for the first round of our resumed talks."