China urges flexibility in Iran nuclear talks

BEIJING - A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday expressed hope that all parties concerned will show further flexibility and pragmatism in the upcoming talks on Iran's nuclear program in Russia.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to comment on nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 -- the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany -- scheduled for June 18 in Moscow.

Liu called on all parties to accommodate each other's concerns and seek a resolution to the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue.

China has been actively committed to promoting peace and talks, and is ready to work with all parties to push for a comprehensive and appropriate settlement to the Iran nuclear issue, he said.

Iran held nuclear talks on May 23-24 with the six major world powers in Baghdad.

During the Baghdad talks, the six powers tabled a package of incentives to Iran in a bid to settle the issue, while Iran announced its readiness to further discuss the issue of the 20-percent enrichment of uranium.

However, the latest round of nuclear talks between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran on June 8 made no progress, according to Herman Nackaerts, IAEA deputy director general and head of the department of safeguards.