Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the talks with Iran on its nuclear issue were proving to be tough going but Russia remains optimistic about a positive result.

"The Moscow negotiations were difficult. However, we are hoping we shall be able to achieve a positive result. We retain optimism, " Putin told a press conference in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, where he was on a visit, Russian news agencies here reported.

"There is now a break in the negotiations to enable the Iranian delegation to consult the authorities," Putin said.

The Russian proposal to create a uranium enrichment joint venture on its territory should be "acceptable for Iran and may be used to settle the issue," he said.

Russia and Iran on Tuesday wrapped up two days of talks on Moscow's proposal. An Iranian top negotiator labeled the negotiations as "constructive and positive," adding that certain elements of the discussion gave hope that an agreement might be reached.

The Russian plan is seen as a crucial attempt to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program before the March 6 meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which reports say could start a process leading to UN punishment against Iran.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said after the talks on Tuesday that Moscow had underlined the need for comprehensive cooperation between Iran and the IAEA, which will clarify the remaining questions about the country's earlier nuclear activities and restore confidence in its nuclear program.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he "would be cautious about using the terms 'failure' or 'set-back' to describe the results of the talks before they end."

With no clear sign of a breakthrough, Russia and Iran are set to engage in more talks this week. The head of the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency, Sergei Kiriyenko, will travel to Iran on Thursday.

"Russia will do its best to offer Iran a possible peaceful way out of the situation," Kiriyenko said.

Source: Xinhua