ISTANBUL. – Talks on Iran’s nuclear issue started between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council – U.S., Russia, Germany, France and England on Saturday morning in Istanbul.

As the Turkish Zaman reports, prior to the negotiations Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu met with the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. 

After the meeting Said Jalili and Catherine Ashton entered the discussion hall from different entrances.

The previous stage of the negotiations with Iran in the 5+1 format took place in Istanbul in January, 2011. It was not successful and the process was delayed for a year. On March 6, speaking from the name of the six countries Ashton expressed readiness to continue the talks.