KISS: Expert: Holding of next round of Iranian talks on nuclear program in Almaty argues Kazakhstan's diplomacy real accomplishment

- What share does Kazakhstan have in the negotiation process?

- The fact that the next round of talks on Iranian nuclear program is held in Almaty is a real progress of Kazakhstan diplomacy. This indicates that in February, Kazakhstan coped with its task of host country, managing to create atmosphere of mutual trust between the parties, favorable for the full-fledged negotiations and reach consensus on issues of concern. Kazakhstan's involvement in the negotiation process further strengthens its international image as an advocate of nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and the reduction of the nuclear threat.

- What do you think about the environment in the upcoming talks?

- As known, the "six" of international mediators submitted a package of compromise proposals to the Iranian side during the February meeting in Almaty and in March in Istanbul.

Apparently, Iran will provide its response to the proposals, reinforced by a number of conditions. Perhaps, the international mediators will insist on full access of IAEA inspectors to Iran's nuclear facilities and export of enriched uranium out of the country, while Iran would require further easing of sanctions, including oil export and banking, and would agree to temporary suspension of enrichment uranium.

Iran's readiness to continue talks may indicate that the political decision to develop nuclear weapons in Tehran is pending.

Results of the negotiations caused some anxiety as according to the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano Iran might implement and continues to implement a secret program to develop nuclear weapons, while the agency conducts unsuccessful negotiations with Tehran to resume the investigation of its alleged nuclear weapons activities.

It is hoped that the parties would be flexible and demonstrate readiness for meaningful negotiations to reach mutually diplomatic solutions. Iran has every right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but this should be done under strict supervision of the IAEA in full-scale inspections. In turn, the international community should give assurance to the Iranian side that its peaceful nuclear facilities will not suffer bomb or cyber attacks, and scientists do not become the target of foreign intelligence services. Given the concern about Tehran's ongoing leakage of sensitive information, the IAEA must also ensure complete confidentiality of the information on Iran's nuclear facilities.