US Welcomes Iran's Decision to Join Geneva Nuclear Talks

The United States has welcomed Iran's decision to discuss its nuclear program at a meeting next week in Geneva.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that the U.S. is encouraged Iran has agreed to meet in Geneva. She said the meeting is an opportunity for Iran to discuss matters of concern to the international community, above all its nuclear program.

The European Union said Tuesday that Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, will meet with EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Aston on December 6 and 7. Ashton's office says she will act on behalf of the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country is ready to hold talks, but will not make concessions about its right to a nuclear program.

Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear technology to make weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

Secretary Clinton was speaking at the start of a two-day summit in Kazakhstan for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.