'Iran-P5+1 talks to be held Jan. 21-22'

'Iran-P5+1 talks to be held Jan. 21-22'

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says the next round of comprehensive talks between Iran and the P5+1 group will be held in Istanbul on January 21 and 22.

Davutoglu made the remarks on Saturday, noting that European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will travel to Turkey to start preparations for the talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany. 

Earlier, Ashton said she had expected the talks to resume on January 20. 

Iran and the P5+1 group — Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States, and Germany — wrapped up two days of multifaceted talks in Geneva last December. 

The date was reportedly set after Davutoglu held separate telephone conversations with the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, who is acting as Tehran's main negotiator, and Iranian Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. 

Davutoglu and Salehi discussed the subjects on the agenda of the upcoming talks in a phone conversation on Thursday. 

The two officials also reviewed some important regional and international issues and developments. 

In December, Jalili said the comprehensive negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group would focus on "common concerns."