EU3 draft resolution on Iran will not achieve 5+1 goals, says Russian FM
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Moscow, Oct 26, IRNA
Russia-Iran-Nuclear issue
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said here Thursday that the draft resolution on Iran prepared by the EU3, the main negotiators in the nuclear issue, does not address the goals of the so-called 5+1 Group.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at a press conference in the northern Russian city of Salekhard, adding that Russia will study the draft carefully to see if it can support it.
Russia has long opposed sanctions on Iran, saying it would not advance the objective of containing Iran's nuclear activities.
"Our aim is to keep the communication lines with Iran open by continuing the negotiations to solve the issue, prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons without the supervision of the IAEA and protect the right of all NPT member states to access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he said.
The minister stressed the need to resume talks with Iran, adding that for as long as negotiations continue Russia will prevent Iran from having access to sensitive nuclear technologies until all ambiguities facing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are clarified.
The draft resolution was submitted to Russia and China on Wednesday by France, Britain and Germany, which are to discuss it today.
Although Iran has complied with its commitments to the NPT, a fact certified by the IAEA, the draft resolution, upon the insistence of the US, invokes Article 41, Chapter 7 of the UN Charter to justify imposition of sanctions on Iran.
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