Putin says Russia wants Iran to respond faster to nuclear proposals

"I hope that Iranian partners will listen to the recommendations and proposals worked out by the six countries and given to Iran for consideration," Putin said during a Web cast, RIA Novosti reports.

Tehran has said it will respond to the proposals from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany on August 22.

"We would like the reaction to be faster," the Russian president said.

Putin said he would like Iran to begin a dialog on the proposals before the G8 summit in St. Petersburg on July 15-17 but added there was no need to use excessive haste and aggravate the situation.

The president reiterated Russia's position that Iran has the right to civil nuclear energy: "We believe that any country, including Iran, has the right to use modern technologies to develop its economy."

He added that the development of nuclear technologies should be always carried out with international monitoring, and should not pose a weapons proliferation threat.

"We will seek compromises to resolve this controversial issue," Putin said, adding that Russia had already made proposals with this in view, in particular to form a network of international centers for uranium enrichment.