Russia opposes anti-Iran sanctions - Sergei Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced his country's opposition to imposition of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran and emphasized on the need for continuing negotiations with IR Iran as a solution for settling Iran's nuclear issue, IRNA reported.
Lavrov made the remarks in an article published in Russia's Diplomatic Annual publication is Moscow on Thursday.
"Experience shows that the methods of exerting pressure and imposing unilateral sanctions cannot resolve anything and it only deteriorates the situation," he added.
Referring to the fact that in the 21st Century for resolving the issues the countries should be participated in the international affairs and not to be isolated, Lavrov said that Iran's nuclear issue is not an exception and its follows this principle.
Referring to Iran's close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its importance, the Russian foreign minister called for more cooperation between Iran and IAEA to increase the mutual trust between Iran and IAEA and also show the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities to the international community.
"We do not accept the efforts aimed at changing the situation of Iran's nuclear activities from negotiations to direct confrontation by imposing new rounds of sanctions and threatening to use force," Lavrov added.
He emphasized the need for resumption of talks on Iran's nuclear issue between Islamic Republic of Iran and Group 5+1 (five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany).
"We are assured that finding an acceptable way for resolving Iran's nuclear issue can only be achievable through dialogue and respecting the commitments of the member-states of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)," Lavrov added.
He pointed out that the US and its allies have imposed sanctions against Iran outside the framework of the resolutions of the UN Security Council.
Russia has always criticized the approach of the Western countries and called it illegal and unconstructive which is against the spirit of international cooperation.
