SOCHI, Russia, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Both the European Union (EU) and Russia stand for a diplomatic solution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said on Thursday.

    Leaders at the EU-Russia summit expressed grave concern over the Iranian nuclear issue and they reiterated the need to solve the problem by diplomatic and peaceful means, Schussel said after EU and Russian leaders met in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

    "We share the same objective: a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear problem," he told a press conference.

    Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin had talks with Schussel, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on further developing Russia-EU relations and also on some international and regional issues.

    Putin said they discussed the Iranian nuclear program, the Middle East peace process and the situation on the Balkans.

    Russia share the same stand on the Iranian nuclear issue with the EU, he said.

    The discussion showed Russia and the EU shared the same or similar positions on many European and global issues, which provides a basis for effective cooperation in strengthening security in Europe and in the world as a whole, the Russian leader said. Enditem