The Russian and Iranian foreign ministers, Sergei Lavrov and Manouchehr Mottaki, started talks on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

Lavrov and Mottaki are to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue.

The West suspects Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, but the Islamic republic insists it needs nuclear power solely for civilian purposes.

The 46th Munich Security Conference opened in the German Bavarian capital on Friday. The three-day forum will focus on the future of European and global security.

The Munich Conference is a discussion site traditionally attended by top representatives of several countries.