Dutch FM praises Iran nuclear "breakthrough"

According to Minister Bert Koenders of Foreign Affairs, there has been "important progress" and a "good result" from the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program between Iran, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, China and the European Union.

The negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program has lasted for more than a decade. Iran has sought new rapprochement with Western countries since the inauguration of President Rouhani in 2013. At the end of 2013 the parties arrived at an interim agreement to build mutual trust in the run-up to a mutual agreement. Now the parties have com to an agreement that imposes limits on the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for sanction relief. The aim of this agreement is to prevent Iran from being able to develop a nuclear weapon.

"This provides an important basis to take away the concerns about Iran's nuclear program and to improve the relationship between Iran and the international community", Koenders said. "I welcome the fact that the parties have agreed on the main aspects about a topic that so far seemed nonnegotiable." The minister emphasized that it is important that this agreement be technically made and he hopes that the parties will complete it before the agreed date of June 30th.