Tehran, Feb 28 (IANS): Expressing optimism about the clinching of a practical deal in the near future between Iran and the P5 1 group of world powers, Islamabad says very good progress has been made in the nuclear talks between the two sides over the past one-and-half years.

There are many problems and tensions in the region and a good agreement between Iran and the P5 1 countries would be a major step toward settling regional conflicts and woes, state run news-agency IRNA reported citing Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam Khan Saturday.

She added that a practical deal on Iran's nuclear programme and removal of sanctions would be a significant opening in the path of economic cooperation, particularly among regional countries.

Islamabad has always emphasised that differences over Iran's nuclear issue should only be solved through negotiations, Khan said.

She stressed the importance of concentrating efforts on the settlement of issues instead of adding more regional and international problems.

The spokesperson said serious nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5 1 countries over the past 18 months indicated that all parties to the negotiations were determined to reach a comprehensive deal.

Negotiators from Iran and the P5 1 group's foreign ministries will hold a fresh round of talks about Tehran's nuclear programme in Montreux, Switzerland, March 5, EU spokeswoman Catherine Ray said Friday.

A series of bilateral meetings would be held prior to the planned high-level talks between negotiators from Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, she added.

Iran and the P5 1 countries -- Britain, France, China, Russia, the US plus Germany -- are making attempts to narrow their differences on the outstanding issues related to Tehran's nuclear programme.