Bloomberg: Russia urged its partners seeking to resolve a dispute over Iran’s nuclear program not to dismiss the country’s response to a European Union-led initiative aimed at persuading it to stop enriching uranium. By Sebastian Alison
Aug. 23 (Bloomberg) — Russia urged its partners seeking to resolve a dispute over Iran’s nuclear program not to dismiss the country’s response to a European Union-led initiative aimed at persuading it to stop enriching uranium.
“It is very important to understand the nuances, to find constructive elements, if there are any, to determine if it is possible to work further with Tehran on the basis of the well- known proposals of the six states,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site today.
Iran said yesterday it is ready to hold “serious negotiations” on its nuclear program, without saying whether it will stop enriching uranium. The U.S. and others say it’s enriching uranium to produce a bomb, while Iran says its nuclear program is to generate energy.
Russia, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is working with the other members — the U.S., Britain, France and China — as well as Germany, to try to end the dispute over the nuclear program which could lead the UN to impose economic sanctions.
“We are ready in the future to use bilateral contacts with the Iranian side, as well as the mechanism of multilateral negotiations and the potential of the UN Security Council,” the foreign ministry statement said.
