The E3+3 negotiations with Iran in Vienna have been successfully concluded. After numerous rounds of talks, the ministers of foreign affairs of the E3+3 states, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Iran’s foreign minister have achieved a historical deal. They agreed on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to limit Iran’s nuclear programme.

The E3+3 states are the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (France, the United Kingdom, the USA, Russia and China) and Germany. The talks were chaired by the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.

Angela Merkel welcomes the outcome

"The outcome of the Vienna negotiations brings us much closer to the goal of ensuring, through across-the board transparency and an unprecedented system of international monitoring, that Iran does not use nuclear power for military purposes. We aim to rule out the possibility of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. This would be a major boon for the security situation throughout the region and indeed beyond the region," declared the Chancellor.

She continued, "Now, the agreement must be implemented within the agreed timescale. I call on all sides to do all they can to ensure swift implementation. Then we have a realistic chance of overcoming one of the most difficult international conflicts through diplomatic channels."

The Chancellor specifically praised the commitment of all parties involved in the negotiations for their "tireless efforts and perseverance".

"Today is a historic day," says Frank-Walter Steinmeier

"Today is a good day, maybe even a historic day for everyone who wants to see this dispute settled peacefully. It’s also a great moment for me personally," said Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier after the talks in Vienna. "It is historic because we have shown that major international conflicts can be resolved through dialogue and perseverance. And that this is also possible where mistrust and even open hostility initially appeared to be insurmountable."

In more than 100 pages, continued the Federal Foreign Minister, the chief negotiators "spelled out in great detail what we already agreed in principle in Lausanne back in April, watertight and without loopholes."

More than two thirds of Iran’s centrifuges will be mothballed and monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 95 per cent of the enriched uranium will be sent out of the country or destroyed, with Iran’s stockpile strictly limited for 15 years.

Everything agreed upon will be closely monitored, explained the German Federal Foreign Minister. "We have reached agreement on a robust mechanism which guarantees that the IAEA has access wherever it requires. And this will apply for up to 25 years, even beyond the IAEA’s standard rules."

Negotiations without time pressure

The Federal Foreign Minister had previously reiterated that the E3+3 partners did not want to put themselves under time pressure to conclude the negotiations. He pointed out that "it is not a matter of reaching some sort of agreement, but rather an agreement that puts an end to the long-standing conflict with Iran and improves security in the Middle East".

Since November 2013, Germany has been negotiating with Iran together with the United Kingdom, France and the European Union, as well as the United States, Russia and China, on the basis of the Geneva Joint Plan of Action (JPoA). The aim is to ensure that Iran’s nuclear programme is used exclusively for peaceful purposes. An agreement would lead to the sanctions against Iran being lifted.