Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Thursday that the nuclear negotiations to be conducted in Istanbul will take place between the P5+1 (5 permanent members of the UN Security Council China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States + Germany) and Iran, Anadolu agency reported.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in Istanbul,
Davutoglu said that Turkey was ready to extend any assistance if the P5+1 or Iran made such a demand during the negotiations.
Yet our role in this process is hosting the negotiations in a comprehensive manner, Davutoglu said.
We are very pleased to be able to host the nuclear negotiations in Istanbul, Davutoglu said.
It is not merely Turkey, Catherine Ashton and Iran but the whole world that wants to solve Iran's nuclear issue peacefully, Davutoglu said.
Istanbul used to be remembered as the "city of peace" in the past. We hope that Istanbul will facilitate peace in Iran's case, Davutoglu also said.
Asked about her expectations from the nuclear negotiations, Ashton said that she could not state what would happen during the negotiations.
Nonetheless, we have faith to make progress on Iran's nuclear issue. We hope to establish good dialogue vis-a-vis nuclear weapons and Iran, Ashton also said.