Ryabkov sees progress in Iran-P5+1 dialogue on nuclear programme

VIENNA, June 19 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov sees progress in the dialogue between Iran and the P5+1 (five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council) on Tehran’s nuclear programme. “Everything looks positive. There are signs of progress,” he said. “The current round of talks can end today,” Ryabkov said. However, he disagreed with French Foreign Ministry political director Nicolas de Riviere saying on June 18 that progress “is low”. “It’s rather difficult to give any assessment every day. We should follow the talks over months,” Ryabkov said. Answering a question if the talks can end ahead of time, he said, “If everything is worse, the talks may end today.” “But there are no such signs,” he added. This will depend on the outcome of the consultations. “The talks are planning to continue within different formats - plenary sessions, bilateral meetings, contacts at the level of top officials and their deputies. As it always has been,” Ryabkov said. The P5+1 is a group of countries which in 2006 joined the diplomatic efforts with Iran in regard to its nuclear program. The term refers to the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany, namely the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Learn more on itar-tass.com