GENEVA: Iran and EU representatives met for a second day Friday to discuss how to implement a landmark deal on containing Tehran’s nuclear program, which they aim to put into action within 10 days.

Negotiators have said they want to implement the deal, which aims to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for some sanctions relief, by Jan. 20.

The diplomats were painstakingly poring over three outstanding issues in a bid to put the groundbreaking Nov. 24 deal into action, Iran’s deputy chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi said.

“We still have disagreement on three points... If we solve these issues then the Geneva deal will be executable,” Araqchi told Iranian state-run TV.

He was meeting for a second and final day Friday in Geneva with Helga Schmid, deputy to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, whose office represents the so-called P5+1 group of world powers — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.

On Thursday, the two had “reviewed one or two of the remaining points and discrepancies and exchanged opinions,” he said, adding that they had agreed to take a break to allow Schmid to consult with the P5+1.

“Ms. Schmid has a heavy responsibility because on every single issue she has to consult with each of the six countries,” he said.

During the first day of talks, the pair also met with top US nuclear negotiator Wendy Sherman, who provided “views and information that was useful to discussions to address any remaining issues to the agreement to the joint plan of action,” the State Department said late Thursday.

Sherman, who traveled on to Moscow Friday, also held a brief meeting with Iran.

Western powers and Israel fear Iran is seeking to develop the atomic bomb under the guise of a civilian nuclear programme, but Tehran has always denied this.