Iran envoy says 'no reason for pessimism' at talks with EU

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2006

BRUSSELS (AFP) — Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has arrived for fresh talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Tehran's standoff with the West, saying there was "no reason for pessimism."

Larijani, who has been in Europe since last week, insisted that Tehran will take as long as it needs to decide how to respond to an international offer designed to persuade the Islamic republic to suspend uranium enrichment.

"We have already stated our position. We don't usually speak before having reflected," he told journalists Tuesday shortly before arriving at Solana's office in Brussels' EU district.

Asked for his forecast on the talks, which will also involve representatives from Britain, France, Germany and Russia, he said there was "no reason...