ALMATY, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- World powers attending the new round of Iranian nuclear talks said Wednesday that the just concluded meeting here has produced positive results.
The two-day talks, the first this year that aimed to address the decade-long deadlock over Iran's disputed nuclear program, are between Iran and the so-called P5+1 powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States plus Germany.
Iran's representative to the talks, Saeed Jalili, said some of the West's offers, including the easing of sanctions, "were more realistic comparing to what they have in the past."
He added that all parties agreed to push for tangible steps in the next six months and that Iran's rights of uranium enrichment for peaceful purpose should be taken into consideration.
Michael Mann, spokesman for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the powers in the talks, said the talks are "useful," adding that the parties have brought revised proposals to Iran and "the ball is in their court now."
Ashton also urged Iran to quickly respond to the offer, saying a quick response is "necessary for the confidence the international community needs."
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also said the meeting was "useful" after the talks wrapped up.
Ma Zhaoxu, Chinese assistant foreign minister who heads the Chinese delegation to the talks, also commented that the talks "have brought about tangible progress, which is beneficial to settling the dispute through dialogue."
Ma said that China has made many efforts since it joined the talks in 2006, especially in encouraging realism and flexibility among the parties concerned.
He asked parties concerned to bolster confidence and promote the Iranian nuclear talks through dialogue and consultation with sincerity and flexibility.
Analysts said that the West's new proposals, though not revealed, may include an offer to ease sanctions on Iran's gold and precious metals trade. Restrictions on the Islamic Republic's banking operations are also expected to be suspended.
These compromises are made in exchange for Teheran's promise to curb its uranium enrichment to 20 percent, a threshold marking the capability in making nuclear weapons.
The West also wishes to see the shutdown of Iran's underground Fordo plant which produce high-grade enriched uranium, as well as greater room for UN inspector to monitor Iran's nuclear program.
Western powers have "tried to get closer to our viewpoints, which we believe is positive," Jalili said, adding that Iranians remain defiant despite punitive sanctions, and there is still "a long way to go" before comprehensive consensus is reached.
All sides agreed to hold another Iran-P5+1 meeting here this April after their nuclear experts meet in Istanbul in March.
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