UK welcomes outcome of E3+3 talks with Iran

British Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed on Wednesday the positive approach by the Iranians during the just-ended two-day talks with the E3+3 group of states (or P5+1) but underlined there is great deal of hard work ahead. "I welcome the more positive approach taken by the Iranian Government in nuclear talks between Iran and the E3+3 in Geneva. Foreign Minister (Iran) Zarif presented a basis for negotiations and there have been serious exchanges with Iran on issues of concern," Hague said. "Diplomats have for the first time begun more substantive discussions with Iran on how to address the international community's serious concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. "I hope that negotiations will lead soon to concrete results. Iran will need to take the necessary first steps on its programme and we are ready to take proportionate steps in return," the Foreign Secretary pointed out. "It is important that we maintain the positive momentum of the negotiations but we should not forget that Iran's nuclear programme is continuing to develop. There is a great deal of hard work ahead, but we must not waste this opportunity," he added.