World powers have 'good offer' for Iran nuclear talks

MOSCOW (AFP) - World powers will present Iran with an updated and "good" offer at talks this week on its nuclear programme, an EU official said on Monday, although hopes for a breakthrough appear slim.

Talks aimed at curbing Teheran's nuclear drive start on Tuesday in Kazakhstan, with the so-called 5+1 world powers represented by the European Union sitting down with an Iranian team led by negotiator Saeed Jalili.

"We have prepared a good and updated offer for the talks, which we believe is balanced and a fair basis for constructive talks," said the spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

"The offer addresses international concerns... on the nature of the Iranian nuclear programme, but is also responsive to Iranian ideas. We hope that Iran will seize this opportunity and come to the talks with flexibility and commitment to make concrete progress towards a confidence-building step."