Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday that "I would not understate the importance of this round".

"In our view, although it was very tough, it was quite, quite promising," Lukashevich said at a weekly briefing.

Iran's new proposals "could move the negotiating process forward, and are evidence of the Iranian side's intention to ... resolve the issues that are of concern to the six powers," he said.

Iran and the six powers wrapped up two days of talks over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday. The two sides have agreed to meet again in the Swiss city on November 7-8.

Following the talks, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a press conference that the negotiations “will hopefully be the beginning of a new phase” in the country’s relations with the six powers.

He further described the talks as “extensive” and “fruitful,” but did not elaborate on the details.

EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton also hailed the nuclear talks as the “most detailed” and most “substantive” ones ever held between the two sides.

She added that the six world powers are carefully considering a proposal offered by Iran at the talks, but noted that both sides have agreed not to disclose the details of Tehran’s proposal, which she described as an “important contribution.”

Zarif presented Iran’s proposal titled “Closing an Unnecessary Crisis, Opening a New Horizon” to the six countries during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday.

SHI/SHI