"Iran must be prepared to take concrete measures so as to establish confidence in its assertion concerning the peaceful nature of its nuclear protocol. The focus is on the nuclear issue now, but we have a mutual interest in also discussing a much broader agenda," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt following a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, held at the end of UN week in New York.

They are both already well aware that they have differing views regarding human rights and developments in Iran following the presidential elections, according to Mr Bildt.

"It is of great importance that the meeting in Geneva on Thursday leads to agreement on the continuing process. The focus is on the nuclear issue now, but we also have a mutual interest in discussing a much broader agenda, says Mr Bildt. There are certain signals that suggest Iran is interested in continuing the discussions."

At the meeting, Mr Bildt emphasised that Iran must also be prepared to take concrete measures so as to establish confidence in its assertion that its nuclear protocol is for peaceful purposes.

"We all have a commitment to answer questions from the IAEA - being party to the IAEA Additional Protocols and to the entire Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is one of the commitments that may be of interest in this context, says Mr Bildt.