Summary Says expert talks between world power and Iran over nuclear programme produced no breakthrough.
MOSCOW (AFP) - Expert talks between world power and Iran over Tehran s nuclear programme produced no breakthrough but were positive in tone, Russia s chief negotiator on the dispute said on Thursday.
"There was certain progress. It was real but insufficient to speak of a breakthrough," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters after the talks in Istanbul on Monday.
Ryabkov said the two sides "still had a lot of homework to do" before a fifth round of higher-level political discussions in Almaty on April 5-6.
The European Union said on Tuesday that the world powers -- the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany -- gave Iran fresh details on a proposed deal aimed at ending international concern over Tehran s nuclear drive.
The six states last month offered Iran an easing of non-oil or financial sector-related sanctions in exchange for concessions over Tehran s sensitive uranium enrichment operations.
The offer in return demands a tougher nuclear inspection regime and the interruption of enrichment operations at the Fordo bunker facility where 20-percent enrichment goes on.
The West suspects Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of what the Islamic republic insists is a purely civilian programme with peaceful ends.
