The E 3+3 countries (Germany, France, the UK, China, Russia and the US) together with Iran are meeting in Geneva later today to discuss Iran's nuclear programme and wider security issues. Similar talks took place in Geneva on 19 July 2008.

The E 3+3 delegation will be led by the High Representative of the EU, Javier Solana. The Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council and Chief Negotiator for Nuclear Issues, Saeed Jalili, will head the Iranian delegation.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband commented on the importance of the meeting during an interview with Sky News on Thursday 1 October. He said:

'We’re at a very important day. After sixteen months of prevarication Iran has finally agreed to sit down with representatives of the six leading countries that are negotiating with them, including Britain, to discuss their nuclear programme and how it’s going to be brought in to compliance with international rules.

We need them to get serious. We saw the missile tests on Monday. Today they need to get serious about living within the rules and if indeed they do want to have only a civilian nuclear power programme then they need to show the world that they are prepared to have the proper safeguards and inspections to make sure there’s no leakage in to a missile programme.

I chaired a meeting in New York last week of the six Foreign Ministers from the key countries and we’re committed to the dual track policy. We engage with Iran, we give them every opportunity to respond to our offer of living within the rules and if they don’t then there’s pressure through sanctions and it’s very clear what the dual track is and I hope that today and through an intensive period of discussions over the next weeks and months we can bring Iran in to compliance.'

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