MOSCOW/BEIJING (AFP/Xinhua) – Iran is ready to hold “constructive talks” with six world powers next month after it submitted new proposals regarding its nuclear program, the Russian foreign ministry said Tuesday.

“The Iranian 'package' reflects a desire to have 'deep and constructive talks' with the Six,” foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said in a statement.
The ministry said Iran's outreach to world powers was “positive and encouraging.”
“The important thing now is to not break the favorable dynamic we are observing and to use it to obtain real negotiations,” the statement said.
The five UN Security Council permanent members -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France -- plus Germany are due to take part in the talks with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili on October 1.
The six powers had called for urgent talks with Iran after it handed over the proposals last week.
According to a copy of the proposals obtained and published by U.S. non-profit investigative journalism group, Pro Publica, Iran said it was prepared to hold “comprehensive, all-encompassing and constructive negotiations”.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said earlier Tuesday that sanctions might be needed to keep Iran's nuclear program in check but described this as “not very effective” and urged continued negotiation instead.
“Sanctions are something not very effective,” Medvedev said in a meeting with foreign experts on Russia, commenting on moves backed by some Western powers to impose further sanctions on Tehran.
“But sometimes it is necessary to use them,” he said.
Russia, which is helping the Islamic Republic construct its first nuclear plant in the southern city of Bushehr, has long resisted U.S.-led moves to tighten the screws on Tehran through international sanctions.
Medvedev urged caution in moving towards further sanctions, saying this was not necessarily the best tool and arguing that further diplomatic engagement with Tehran was the best option.
China welcomes Iran's nuclear package
China on Tuesday welcomed Iran's latest move to resume talks with six major powers, Xinhua reported.
“Iran's proposal to restart talks with the six nations is an important step, which China welcomes,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said.
On Wednesday, Iran handed over its latest package of proposals, in a bid to start again suspended talks on global issues with six major powers: China, the United States, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.
The talks will be the first since a 2008 session in Geneva ended without substantive progress.
Jiang called for the parties involved to seize the opportunity and step up diplomatic efforts. “The parties should resume negotiations and seek positive results from the talks.”
The talks have been scheduled for Oct. 1, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana was reported as saying, but the venue has not been decided yet.
Photo: Russian foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko.