Although the latest six-nation meeting failed to move the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program out of deadlock, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says the group is undeterred by the difficulties and is ready to pursue the issue.
“I wouldn’t say I am encouraged by the outcome, but to say that I am squarely disappointed would be an overstatement,” Ryabkov says. “Of course, we are in a difficult situation, but this is diplomacy, this is a difficult set of issues and we are mostly prepared, as Russia and as a three plus three group altogether, to continue the search for an eventual solution to this issue.”The meeting between Iran and the six major powers – Russia, the US, Germany, France, UK and China – concluded in Istanbul on Saturday with no progress on the contentious issue of Iran’s uranium enrichment. However, Ryabkov, who headed the Russian delegation, remains optimistic, saying moving ahead in the negotiation process depends on finding common ground first – something that he admits has not yet happened. “We are approaching a better understanding of the whole situation,” he adds. “I do believe that after this round the Iranian party will also have something to digest, something to consider and draw some conclusions.” Although the sides were not able to set the next date for negotiations, on Sunday Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran was ready for another round of talks, which would yield “good results.” “If the other party is determined and committed to law, justice and respect, there is hope that in the next sessions good results will be achieved,” Ahmadinejad said.