Sarkozy signals rapprochement with Russia over Iranian nuke issue

Moscow, Oct 10 (UNI) French president Nicolas Sarkozy today said Russian and French positions had become closer over Iranian nuclear problem.

"We have had a profound discussion on the matter and I listened to President Putin's analysis. I think our positions have become closer," Sarkozy said after his talks with the Russian leader in the Kremlin.

He said despite slightly different approaches to analysing the uranium enrichment programme resumed by Iran in January 2006, Russia and France were unanimous that Iran was willing to cooperate on the issue.

"The most important thing is that they are willing to cooperate," Sarkozy added.

The Iranian nuclear programme is viewed by some Western countries as a bid to develop nuclear weapons, despite repeated Iranian statements to the contrary.

On his part, Putin stressed the importance of transparency on the issue.

"We have no real data to claim that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, which makes us believe the country has no such plans. But we agree that Iran's programmes must be transparent," he said.

UNI