Geneva - World powers and Iran are set to engage in a new round of negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme in Geneva on Saturday.

On behalf of the veto powers and Germany, EU chief diplomat Javier Solana will meet Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeid Jalili to talk about an offer of future cooperation in the areas of economy, nuclear energy and politics once Tehran halts its nuclear activities.

The United States' representative at the talks, Undersecretary of State William Burns, is the first US diplomat in 30 years to participate in negotiations with Iran. He will not take an active role in the talks, however.
Representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China will also attend the meeting. These and other countries are concerned Iran could one day use its civilian nuclear programme to build atom bombs, an allegation which Tehran strongly denies. (dpa)