French, German FMs join Iran nuke talks in Lausanne

Foreign ministers from France and Germany on Saturday joined the Iranian nuclear talks to further negotiate Teheran's framework deal as the end of March deadline only three days away.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Germany Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Saturday arrived in the Swiss city of Lausanne and convened trilateral meetings with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, prior to bilateral talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Fabius told reporters before the negotiations that he hopes all sides can get a robust agreement.

"The talks were long and difficult, we have moved forward on certain points, but on others not enough," he said.

After the bilateral talks, Zarif said "I see the German and French are really serious about reaching an agreement."

"Iran has made a decision, a political decision, to go for engagement with dignity, I believe our negotiating partners also need to make decision, I believe they have realized that sanctions, pressure and agreement would not go together, it's only to translate that understanding into the agreement we are now negotiating," he noted.

The top Iranian negotiator said "we can in fact make the necessary progress to be able to resolve all the issues."

Besides the top diplomats from France, Germany, foreign ministers from Britain, China, and Russia are also expected to join the talks later the week, a sign that a possible framework agreement might be within reach.

Media reports on Saturday said that Iran and the major countries are close to agreement on a two or three pages accord with specific numbers that would form the basis of a long-term settlement aimed at ending a 12-year standoff over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

However, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied that claims. Endit