DHAKA: Talks between world powers and Iran have failed to reach an agreement on Tehran`s nuclear programme.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told a press conference that there had been a lot of "concrete progress but some differences remain".

Baroness Ashton, who coordinated talks, said they would resume on 20 November.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he was not disappointed with the outcome, and that the talks were "something we can build on".

He said all parties were "on the same wavelength" and "there was the impetus to reach an agreement".

Meanwhile US Secretary of State John Kerry said: "There is no question in my mind that we are closer now than we were before."

The international powers are concerned that Tehran is trying to build a nuclear weapon - but Iran says its programme is peaceful.

A proposal that was floated would require Iran to freeze expansion of nuclear activity in return from limited relief from economic sanctions.

Delegates had earlier suggested there was "good progress".

It was striking to see the respective chief negotiators Mohmamad Javad Zarif and Lady Ashton walk in together to deliver a joint final statement. They appeared to be relaxed in each other`s company.

But it`s also clear that they have not reached a deal. Serious differences clearly remain. The two negotiators wouldn`t reveal what those differences were. Instead they agreed to meet again.

These three days of talks were the most intensive negotiations about Iran`s nuclear programme for many years. It`s worth noting in particular the fact that the US Secretary of State John Kerry took part in more than eight hours of direct talks with his Iranian counterpart.

This marked the most extensive high-level contact between the US and Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution. That, in itself, counts as something of a breakthrough.

But diplomatic sources said France had wanted tougher terms for Iran.

Before the late-night press conference, the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the three days of negotiations had ended without a deal.

"The meetings in Geneva have made it possible to move forward," he said.

"But we have not yet managed to conclude, because there are still some questions remaining to be dealt with."

Meanwhile Mr Kerry told reporters: "We have not only narrowed differences and clarified those that remain but we made significant progress in working through the approaches to this question of how one reins in a programme and guarantees its peaceful nature."

He added that the window for diplomacy would not stay open indefinitely.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had urged the world powers not to miss an "exceptional opportunity" to seal an agreement.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague had also urged negotiators to "seize the moment".

The Geneva talks involve Iran and the P5+1: the US, Russia, Britain, France and China as permanent UN Security Council members, plus Germany.

Source: BBC
BDST: 0906 HRS, NOV 10, 2013
RS/BSK