Iran is under four sets of economic sanctions in line with UN resolutions as well as a number of sanctions imposed by some Western countries unilaterally.
"We have prepared a good and updated offer for the talks, which we believe is balanced and a fair basis for constructive talks," Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said in a statement on Monday.
“The offer addresses international concerns... on the nature of the Iranian nuclear program, but is also responsive to Iranian ideas,” Mann said without disclosing the details of the new offer.
Iran and the group of countries comprising Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany, known as Iran Six or P5+1, have held three rounds of talks over the Iranian nuclear issue last year, following a one-year break in the negotiations.
These talks, however, did not result in a breakthrough, as the sides cannot agree on the true nature of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
The United States, Israel and some of their allies accuse Iran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear energy program, especially after Tehran had acknowledged production of 20-percent enriched uranium, which experts believe could be turned into weapons grade in a matter of months.
Iran rejects these allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over the slow pace of the nuclear talks with Iran, and stressed the need for the new meeting to be held as soon as possible.
“We want all negotiators to realize that no more time can be wasted,” Russia’sDeputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov reiterated on Monday. “Pauses lasting eight or even 15 months are unacceptable."
