The Russian foreign ministry, in a statement released on Sunday, hoped negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group would soon be continued on a “step-by-step and equal basis,” the Voice of Russia reported.
Commenting on the latest negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1, the Russian Foreign Ministry said both sides discussed the proposals made by the P5+1 during an earlier round of talks in late February.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday that the recognition of Iran’s rights under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the only solution to the West’s dispute with the Islamic Republic over its nuclear energy program.
Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany wrapped up their latest round of negotiations on April 6 in Almaty.
Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said extensive and comprehensive talks were held to address an action plan proposed by Tehran based on the group’s response to proposals made in previous negotiations.
Jalili said representatives from the P5+1 group sought clarification and raised many questions about the plan and received answers in full detail.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the group of six powers, said in a press conference on Saturday that the two sides of the negotiations “remain far apart on the substance” of the talks.
However, she added, “Indeed, we have talked in much greater detail than ever before, and our efforts will continue in that direction.”
“For the first time, I’ve seen a real back and forward between us, where we were able to discuss details to pose questions and to get answers directly on the sort of issues that we need to discuss in order to be able to move forward. To that extent, that has been a very important element,” the EU foreign policy chief said.
Tehran and the P5+1 have held several rounds of talks mainly over Iran’s nuclear energy program. The previous round of talks took place in Almaty on February 26-27.