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Asefi: Iran, Russia agree on some principles

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 5, IRNA
Iran-Asefi-Russia
Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hamid-Reza Asefi here said that Iran and Russia have reached agreement on some principles and that the relevant talks will continue.

Speaking to reporters in this week's press briefing, he said that agreement has been reached on some points, adding that reaching a final accord needs time.

Obviously, details will not be disclosed before final agreement is reached on the issue.

In response to a question about the negotiation between the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani and the three EU countries and Iran's intention to make full use of its potentials to settle its nuclear issue, Asefi said that the visit aimed to deal with the same matter.

He noted that during Larijani's talks with the European Union High Commissioner for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and the foreign ministers of EU3, all the involved parties expressed their outlooks.

Asefi referred to possession of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes based on NPT as one of the major issues on the agenda and said that in principle the Europeans had no objection to the issue.

"Europe's declared concern over the possibility of Iran's deviation from the path of peaceful nuclear activities was another topic discussed. There is no cause for such a concern, given that no cases of violation have been observed.

"Iran has been transparent and cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Besides, the inspectors of this international body has continued its work in Iran and their cameras have been installed at the country's nuclear facilities. All these prove the transparency of Iran's activities," he added.

Turning to the reports of IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, he noted that they have said nothing about Iran's deviation from peaceful path rather they have underlined that no violation has taken place.

He referred to the discord on continuation of research and the conflict between the outlook of Iran and the three European states and said, "Europe is against research, while we insist upon it." Asefi underlined that there is reason for worries in case of research conducted in secret, rather than under the eyes of inspectors and the cameras installed by the agency.

The spokesman referred to Iran-EU3 talks as constructive and clear and said that there is still the chance to continue negotiation with the Europeans and other parties on the sidelines of the Board of Governors Monday meeting by making full use of potentials.

He pointed to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Malaysia last week and said that given Malaysia's status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), during the tour, expansion of mutual ties were underlined.

"Meanwhile, during Ahmadinejad's stay in Malaysia, the fifth meeting of joint economic commission was held and bolstering cooperation between the private sectors of the two states was discussed.

"In addition, the recent visit of Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to the Far East Asian countries aimed to use the national potentials to promote the foreign policy goals," he added.

Replying to a question about the scheduled visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud to Iran, he noted that he has accepted the invitation, but that no specific date has yet been indicated.

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