The E 3+3 countries (Germany, France, the UK, China, Russia and the US), together with Iran, met in Geneva on 1 October to discuss Iran's nuclear programme and wider security issues. Similar talks took place in Geneva on 19 July 2008.

The E 3+3 delegation was led by the High Representative of the EU, Javier Solana. The Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council and Chief Negotiator for Nuclear Issues, Saeed Jalili, headed the Iranian delegation.

Javier Solana commented on the outcomes of the meeting during a press conference.

He told reporters that parties had 'agreed to intensify dialogue in the coming weeks' and hold further discussions before the end of the month.

He also said Iran had told them that it planned to 'co-operate fully and immediately' with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the new enrichment facility, and would invite inspectors 'soon, we expect in the next couple of weeks'.

Watch the press conference.

Ahead of the meeting, Foreign Secretary David Miliband spoke of the importance of the talks in Geneva. He said:

"We’re at a very important day. After sixteen months of prevarication Iran has finally agreed to sit down with representatives of the six leading countries that are negotiating with them, including Britain, to discuss their nuclear programme and how it’s going to be brought in to compliance with international rules.

We need them to get serious. We saw the missile tests on Monday. Today they need to get serious about living within the rules and if indeed they do want to have only a civilian nuclear power programme then they need to show the world that they are prepared to have the proper safeguards and inspections to make sure there’s no leakage in to a missile programme.

I chaired a meeting in New York last week of the six Foreign Ministers from the key countries and we’re committed to the dual track policy. We engage with Iran, we give them every opportunity to respond to our offer of living within the rules and if they don’t then there’s pressure through sanctions and it’s very clear what the dual track is and I hope that today and through an intensive period of discussions over the next weeks and months we can bring Iran in to compliance."

Notes for Editors

Road to 2010: addressing nuclear issues

UKinIran British Embassy website

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