Russia optimistic about Iran-P5+1 talks - Gayo Lues

We hope that all delegations, including Iran, will arrive in the Russian capital with the spirit of constructive dialogue that will ensure positive results and further progress along the lines of overcoming the existing differences and gradual rapprochement, said the ministry in a statement on Monday.

Of course, we understand that in Moscow agreements cannot be reached over all the issues and differences between the negotiating parties regarding the Iranian nuclear energy program. However, the assumption is that the negotiation process must be continued after the upcoming round, it added.

The statement reaffirmed the Russian Federation’s stance on finding solutions to Iran’s nuclear energy issue solely through politico-diplomatic means, while respecting the interests of the negotiating sides and the principles of reciprocity and moving ahead step by step.

It noted that the P5+1 presented specific proposals to Iran during the previous round of talks in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on May 23 and 24.

The proposals were based on these principles which included requirements to Tehran and possible retaliatory measures by the six major world powers, it said, adding that we expect substantive consideration for the proposals to begin in Moscow.

Iran and the P5+1 — Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States plus Germany – held three sessions of plenary talks in Baghdad on May 23 and 24 after an earlier round of negotiations in the Turkish city of Istanbul in mid-April.

The two sides agreed to hold another round of talks in Moscow on June 18 and 19.

They also agreed to hold expert-level preparatory meetings before Moscow negotiations, in order to hammer out the agenda of those talks. The P5+1 representatives, however, ignored Iran’s request for taking part in expert meetings which caused Tehran to warn that P5+1’s foot-dragging will undermine the entire negotiations process.

SF/HGH/AZ