China calls for confidence over Iran nuclear issue

BEIJING - China called Wednesday for confidence from all parties involved in the Iranian nuclear talks to achieve a comprehensive deal after the latest round of talks ended in Geneva.

Representatives from the P5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany, and Iran) met in Geneva Sunday night for fresh talks over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.

"Sunday's talks were serious, pragmatic and in good atmosphere. All sides had substantive negotiations over major issues at stakes and yielded some progress though differences remained," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said at a daily news briefing.

As a new round of negotiations will begin, China hopes to work with all parties to play a constructive role in pushing forward the dialogue, he said.

Hong called on all parties to have confidence and work together to facilitate a mutually beneficial comprehensive agreement as soon as possible.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said Monday that the next round of nuclear talks would be held on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next week, according to Iranian state media Press TV.

Western nations suspect Iran of developing atomic weapons under the cover of its civilian nuclear plan, but Iran dismisses this, saying its nuclear program is peaceful and the allegation is baseless.

Under an interim deal between Iran and the P5+1 on Nov 24, 2013, Iran said it would suspend some sensitive nuclear activities in exchange for limited relief of sanctions, with all sides seeking a comprehensive deal by July 20, 2014.

But talks throughout the year failed to reach an agreement. Tehran and world powers agreed to extend the negotiations to July this year.