"A certain progress has been shaping up" in the search for ways to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said on Tuesday.

"However, we cannot say that we have settled all the details," Sergei Kislyak was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.

"We had no doubts that the Iranian issue should be settled in a diplomatic way," Kislyak said. "We are glad that our partners from the United States, China, Great Britain, France and Germany speak the same language."

The diplomat said that telephone conversations of deputy foreign ministers of the "group of six" are planned for Tuesday to discuss ways of settling the Iranian problem.

"There are still many contradictions," Kislyak said. "First of all I'm referring to the search for a formula that would help to find a decision, lay a foundation for further serious negotiating process," Kislyak noted.

According to him, the sides are considering a meeting of the foreign ministers of the six party that may take place "as early as this week."

In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush called for further international efforts to settle the Iranian nuclear issue, said the Russian presidential press service.

The presidents also exchanged opinions on ways to fine-tune the Middle East peace process.

Source: Xinhua