MOSCOW (AFP)--Russia Wednesday welcomed offers by the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama to talk with Iran, saying the approach would help efforts to end the nuclear standoff with the West.
"We expect that the U.S., considering the fresh approach that seems to be noticeable in regard to Iran, will be able to make a more effective contribution in resolving these questions than in recent years," said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"We attach particular significance to the declared intention of the new administration in Washington to start direct dialogue with Iran," he told a news conference with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and other E.U. officials.
"We're sure this will help the common efforts of the six" international powers dealing with the Iranian nuclear case, he added.
Lavrov spoke after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Tehran was ready for dialogue with the U.S. as long as there was a climate of mutual respect.
Obama Monday said he hoped to create the conditions for face-to-face dialogue with Iran in the months ahead, after the previous administration of George W. Bush shied away from direct talks.
Western countries suspect Iran is creating a nuclear weapons program under cover of its stated drive for civilian nuclear energy, a charge denied by Tehran.
Russia is among six international powers dealing with the Iranian nuclear case, which include the five permanent U.N. Security Council members plus Germany.
The E.U. has been carrying out direct talks with Iran on behalf of the six powers, with Solana leading the negotiations.
"We expect the efforts of Javier Solana and his colleagues on behalf of the six on creating conditions for the start of a negotiation process will continue and meet with success," Lavrov said