Chinese Premier hopes Iran will resolve nuclear standoff soon

Sanya (China), Apr. 18 (ANI): Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao hopes that Iran will resume talks with world powers soon to resolve the standoff over the nuclear issue.

During his meeting with Iran's Vice-President Parviz Davoudi, Wen said the Muslim country should take up the nuclear issue to the 2009 Boao Forum for Asia.

The meeting came two days after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged for warmer ties with Washington and announced that Teheran will offer a new package for negotiations, the China Daily reports.

US President Barack Obama's government has sought direct dialogue with Iran - in sharp contrast to the Bush administration's tough talk.

China, the US, Russia, Britain, France and Germany decided earlier this month to invite Iran back to the negotiation table.

Experts feel the moves indicate that two long-time adversaries are seeking to ease a nearly three-decade-old diplomatic standoff.

"The Chinese government hopes the relevant sides involved (in the Iranian nuclear issue) grasp the current favorable opportunity, show positive gestures and resume negotiations as soon as possible," reads the news release on the talks, issued by the Foreign Ministry.

To that effect, China would like to continue its constructive role, Wen said.

Davoudi said Teheran wanted to settle the nuclear issue on the basis of mutual respect and improve its relations with "relevant countries".

China respects Iran's possession of nuclear power for peaceful use, Wen said, adding Beijing also "firmly protects" global nuclear non-proliferation efforts. (ANI)