The European Union foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, has expressed “cautious optimism” about the outcome of the upcoming talks between Iran and the P5+1 group

The European Union foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, has expressed “cautious optimism” about the outcome of the upcoming talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of six major world powers in Almaty, Kazakhstan, mainly over the Iranian nuclear energy program.

“I remain always cautiously optimistic but I'm also very clear that it's very important to get a response,” Ashton said at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara on Wednesday.

“I look forward to what I hope will be a successful meeting in Almaty and I really do hope that Iran will now... consider the proposal we put on the table and respond to it,” she added.

Davutoglu said Turkey was “ready to contribute to a solution” to the Western standoff over Iran’s nuclear energy program.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov has stressed that an "unconditional recognition" of Iran’s right to its civilian nuclear energy program is the only solution to the West’s standoff over Iran's peaceful nuclear activities.

Russia believes a long-term settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue should be based on the recognition of Iran's "unconditional right to develop its civilian nuclear program," Morgulov said on Wednesday.