EU's Ashton to visit Turkey ahead of Iranian nuclear talks

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will visit Turkey this week ahead of nuclear negotiations between Iran and world powers set to be held in Istanbul later this month. Ashton will lead the nuclear negotiations in Istanbul, following on from December's negotiations in Geneva, on behalf of the P5+1 nations – UN Security Council permanent members China, France, Russia, Britain and the US, plus Germany. The Istanbul nuclear talks are likely to take place on Jan. 20-21. During Ashton's two-day visit, set to begin Thursday, Turkish-EU ties will also be reviewed, in addition to Iran's controversial nuclear program.