Turkey can play an important role in seeking a solution to Iran's nuclear standoff, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed El-Baradei said on Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with the private NTV channel, El- Baradei said, "We should also discuss the international community's concerns over terrorism and human rights with Iran. If we can do this in an early stage and if Turkey can help the parties get closer to a compromise, this will be in the best interests of not only Turkey but also the entire world."

He said that one important thing (regarding the solution of Iran's nuclear program controversy) is to make parties sit at the negotiating table, adding he is still optimistic that such a standoff can be solved through diplomacy and dialogue.

According to El-Baradei, Iran is an important power in the region, and it can play both a positive and a negative role in stability of the Middle East.

"Nobody is questioning Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The thing, being told to Iran is to suspend its uranium enrichment initiatives for a few years, at least until necessary confidence is built," he said.

He said that a proposal submitted to Iran by the five UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany envisages some opportunities for the country to normalize its relations with Europe and the United States.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will give his final response to the proposal in August, but G-8 countries want to get the response no later than July 12, he said.

Quoting Iranian officials as saying that there are some indefinite aspects in the proposal as well as some positive aspects, El-Baradei said, "These indefinite aspects can be solved through dialogue. Here is the key point: Will they suspend these initiatives before negotiations are launched, or sit at negotiation table without putting forth any conditions and make this suspension a matter of discussion?"

Source: Xinhua