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Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam
The first session of U.S.-Iran talks was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere, with encouraging progress made, including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks, according to a joint statement issued by Qatar and Pakistan on Monday.
The parties agreed to establish a High Level Committee to provide political oversight of the mediation process, the statement said.
Chief negotiators will report regularly to the committee and lead working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions, as well as monitoring and dispute resolution to facilitate the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and address other matters, it said.
The committee also agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal within 60 days and approved the immediate launch of further technical talks. A communication line was established to avoid incidents and miscommunication and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
They had also agreed to create a de-confliction cell between the parties, Lebanon and facilitated by the mediators, to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon. Technical talks will continue for the rest of the week, while Qatar and Pakistan pledged to continue efforts to help the parties reach a final agreement.
U.S. and Iranian negotiators, under Qatari and Pakistani mediation, held talks on Sunday at the Burgenstock mountain resort in central Switzerland, marking the first direct talks between the two sides since the signing of the Islamabad MoU.
