Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Russian PM: Iran's nuclear issue should be solved within IAEA framework

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Pretoria, March 19, IRNA
South Africa-Nuclear-Iran
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said on Monday that his country believes that Iran's nuclear issue should be solved within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections.

The statement was made at a press conference after Fradkov's meeting with the South African Vice President, Mlambo Ncguka.

The Russian prime minister said that Russia and Pretoria have common views on the way Iran should use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

"Both countries believe that the current difference of views should be solved within the framework of IAEA inspections," he added.

For her part, Ncguka refrained to express her view on the issue, but welcomed Russia's cooperation in her country's nuclear projects.

Lauding Russia's potentials in the nuclear sector, she added that South Africa is willing to use the Russian nuclear experience and technologies to advance their own projects.

"The two countries are also willing to bolster their cooperation in various fields including military, energy, science, economy, culture, sports and development of human resources," said the South African vice president.

She said that her country hopes for easier access of South African businessmen to Russia's great market, given that this will help increase trade exchanges between the two states.

The Russian prime minister, who is visiting Pretoria at the head of a high-ranking delegation, is scheduled to meet President Thabo Mbeki this afternoon.

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