Over the next few days, the crucial round of nuclear negotiations will commence in Vienna; everything we have worked for is now at stake. In Lausanne we achieved a historic outline agreement. We now have to use this as a basis to elaborate a comprehensive agreement in the upcoming days. It will be far from easy. The dossier is extremely technically complex. But at this stage it is mostly political decisions which are needed, above all in Tehran. Thus we are still facing tough negotiations over the details.

We now have a chance to reach a robust and lasting solution to the nuclear dispute – such a chance is unlikely to come along often. We are aware of that. It does not, however, mean that we are prepared to make compromises at any price.

Even if it requires great effort and perseverance, we want to bring these negotiations to a conclusion which offers an acceptable and sustainable settlement to the conflict. For a resolution of the nuclear dispute with Iran would not only be significant in preventing an arms race in the region, it could also open doors for diplomacy in the conflict-ridden Middle East.