MUNICH, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's top nuclear
negotiator Ali Larijani said Sunday that talks with the western leaders on the
sidelines of a high-profile security meeting in Munich was "constructive."
The talks "are constructive at this level" and further negotiations are needed to find a solution that could
address concerns of both sides, Larijani told a press conference after the close
of the three-day security meeting.
Larijani met with EU chief diplomat Javier Solana and
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, which is the first time since
limited UN. sanctions were imposed in December.
Earlier in the day at the meeting, the top negotiator
said Iran is prepared to settle all outstanding issues with the International
Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, within three weeks.
The IAEA has said it has found no evidence that Iran
is trying to build nuclear weapons but it accused Iran of concealing certain
nuclear activities and suspended some aid to Iran.
Larijani insisted that Iran has no intention of
developing nuclear weapons, however, having peaceful nuclear technology is "the
will of Iranian people."
Still, the top negotiator called for continued
constructive dialogue between Iran and the west, noting that different cultures
with different historic background have to be respected.
"We don't want to aggravate the situation in the
region," he said.
Larijani's remarks came one day after German
Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the same meeting that Iran must accept western
demands over nuclear crisis or otherwise face international isolation.
"If Iran does not do so then the alternative for Iran
is to slip further into isolation," said Merkel, whose country holds the
rotating EU presidency.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Friday that
the international community should show more determination, including military
pressure, against Iran.
The world can not afford a nuclear Iran which could
have "the aspiration to take over the whole region," said Livni in an opening
speech at the Munich security conference.
"Israel always believes in diplomatic efforts but
military means could be a complement to diplomacy," said the minister.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday at the
meeting that the international community should address the concerns of Iran in
the process of seeking a solution to Iran's nuclear crisis.
"We should not corner Iran into a hostile
environment," said Putin at a high-profile security conference in the southern
German city of Munich.
There is no evidence, after all, that Iran is trying
to develop nuclear weapons, said Putin.
Some 250 top officials from over 40 countries
participated in the 43rd Munich security conference which closed on Sunday.
The three-day meeting, entitled "global crisis,
global responsibilities," highlighted NATO's role, the Middle East peace
process, transatlantic relations, the West's relations with Russia and the fight
against international terrorism.