Russia and Iran ended their negotiations on uranium enrichment
in Moscow on Wednesday without any breakthrough.
"The conversation was constructive and earnest, but quite a few
questions remain unresolved," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Sergei Kislyak told reporters after the talks ended.
Speaking after the talks with Russian Security Council Secretary
Igor Ivanov, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said Iran
and Russia have reached "a general agreement" on the issue but more
work is needed.
"It is necessary to study the issue in detail, which will take
time," Larijani said.
The Interfax news agency quoted a source in the Iranian
delegation as saying Iranian officials hope to have more talks
before flying home at noon Thursday.
The Russian plan, backed by Western countries, is seen as a
crucial attempt to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program
before the March 6 meeting of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), which reports say could start a process leading to
UN punishment against Iran.
Russia and Iran underlined the importance of talks and
consultations for the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue by
diplomatic methods and within the framework of the IAEA, Interfax
reported citing a joint statement.
After the previous two rounds of talks last week in Moscow and
Tehran, Iran said on Sunday it had agreed in principle with Russia
on setting up a uranium enrichment joint venture.
But Larijani said Iran does not intend to give up the right to
enrich uranium by itself even if it reaches a deal with Russia on a
joint venture.
(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2006)
