GA / ASHTON IRAN

EU Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said she saw “energy and determination” from Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to move forward with talks and that this meeting was to establish how they work together. UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:00:56
• Production Date: 23 September 2013
• Asset Language: Original
• Subject Topical: POLITICAL AFFAIRS; LAW; INTERNATIONAL LAW; POLITICAL CONDITIONS; NUCLEAR SCIENCE
• Geographic Subject: IRAN
• MAMS Id: U130923e

Description

STORY: GA/ ASHTON WRAP
TRT: 0.56
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 23 SEPTEMBER 2013, NEW YORK CITY

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations
2. Med shot, Catherine Ashton approaching microphone
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:
“What I saw to day was energy and determination to try and move forward with our talks. Many things flow from that, but this was the first meeting in order to establish how we would work together.”
4. Cutaway, reporter
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:
In terms of whether we are on the verge of a breakthrough, I would put it like this: that I was struck as I said by the energy and determination the foreign minister demonstrated to me. But as you know, I have worked I think very hard to try and find a way in which we can address this issue of great concern and I will take every opportunity to try and do that and I hope this will be one.” Thanks.”
6. Med shot, Ashton walking away

Storyline

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton met with Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York.

Later, Ashton told reporters that it was the first opportunity to meet “face to face” with Zarif and that they had a “good constructive” discussion on Iran’s nuclear programme. She said Mr. Zarif will join the E3 +3 meeting later this week and have agreed to meet with their respective teams in Geneva in October.

When asked about the easing of sanctions on Iran if efforts should prove to be fruitful, she said that she saw “energy and determination” from the foreign minister to try and move forward with the talks and that this meeting was to establish how they would work together.

Asked whether she thought the talks were on the verge of a breakthrough, Ashton said she has worked “very hard” to address the issues and to “take every opportunity to try and do that and I hope this will be one.”