Russia: Moscow to continue cooperation with Iran

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today that Moscow is determined to continue cooperation with Iran.

In an interview with the daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta, he referred to the recent meeting held between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and the US President Barack Obama.

During the meeting, President Medvedev said that any deal concerning Iran would not be possible, he said.

The two presidents met in London on April 1, 2009, reviewing the latest global developments including Iran's peaceful nuclear program, Lavrov added.

He said leaders of the two countries, in their joint statement, announced their readiness to help settle Iran's nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic means within the framework of the decisions made by the UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The two sides reiterated that Iran had the right to pursue peaceful nuclear program, Lavrov said, adding that the two leaders urged Iran to fulfill its commitments regarding the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Both Moscow and Washington consider Iran-IAEA cooperation crucial in removing the existing ambiguities in Iran's nuclear activities, the Russian foreign minister said, underlining the need for resumption of negotiations to resolve the issue.

Iran will then enjoy all rights of the non-atomic members of the NPT, he said, expressing the hope that Washington would be ready to attend talks with the Group 5+1 on Iran.

Referring to the US president's message to the Iranian nation, Lavrov welcomed Obama's stand to normalize relations with Iran in all areas.