Russian FM expresses optimism about Iran-P5+1 negotiations

The Russian foreign minister says Moscow is optimistic about the resumption of a fresh round of multifaceted talks between Iran and the world’s six major powers (P5+1) in Turkey.

“There are certain expectations related to the six-nation meeting with Iran in Istanbul on April 14. Iranian negotiators said they would propose new initiatives,” Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

“It’s not a bad approach, because we too have some suggestions to make along with the Americans to make proposals on how to proceed in stages and under conditions of reciprocity,” he added.

“Iran takes a step and we (P5+1) are taking a step to meet the Iranian concerns,” said the top Russian diplomat.

He noted that the sides have agreed to pursue a step-by-step approach in the new round of talks and said the P5+1 member states seek to retain confidence that Iran’s nuclear energy program is peaceful and has no military objectives.

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili said on Wednesday that Tehran will offer “new initiatives” during the upcoming talks with the P5+1.

“Iran’s representatives will participate in the negotiations with new initiatives and we hope that the P5+1 countries will also enter talks with constructive approaches,” Jalili said.

Iran and the P5+1 — Russia, China, Britain, France, the US and Germany – have agreed to hold the first round of fresh multifaceted talks in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Saturday, April 14.

The second round of the negotiations will be held in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, but the time will be announced at the end of the Istanbul meeting.

Tehran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have held two rounds of talks, one in Geneva in December 2010 and another in Istanbul in January 2011.

Tehran has repeatedly made it clear that it will not negotiate over any of its fundamental rights.

Iran maintains that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to acquire and develop nuclear technology for peaceful objectives.