ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: The visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Mahdi Safari on Thursday gave an update to Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri on Tehran’s ongoing negotiations with the European Union and the IAEA regarding its controversial nuclear programme.

A statement issued by the Foreign Minister’s Office after the meeting here said: “Dr. Safari briefed the Foreign Minister on the latest developments related to Iran’s negotiations on the question of its nuclear programme, with the EU High Representative, Dr. Javier Solana and IAEA Director General Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei.”

Dr. Safari who called on Mr Kasuri at the Foreign Office during the day told him that given Iran’s close and fraternal ties with Pakistan, it was the first country to be briefed by Tehran on this subject.

Foreign Minister Kasuri appreciated this fact given the special significance of the issue both in the regional and global context.

Reiterating Pakistan’s position on the issues pertaining to Iran’s nuclear programme he underscored that they ought to be decided amicably through diplomatic dialogue and within the framework of IAEA.

On Monday, Pakistan had welcomed Tehran’s consent to observe IAEA safeguards.