Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday expressed hope that his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif would help develop additional steps to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program.
"We are actively working with all the JCPOA participants who remain committed to this important document," the Russian Minister said. "I hope that our meeting today will help to develop additional steps in this direction."
According to him, Moscow and Tehran have a clear common understanding on joint actions in the international arena, as well as on how to move forward in bilateral cooperation. "To our great regret, the situation around the JCPOA is escalating," Lavrov admitted. "Our American colleagues are trying to promote unacceptable, unilateral, illegitimate ideas that do not find support in the UN Security Council."
"Of course, we will consider other issues on the international agenda. We will pay special attention to the Syrian settlement in terms of the initiatives and decisions that are being taken within the framework of the Astana process," the Russian Foreign Minister said. "It is very important for us to exchange views on how to counteract the very disturbing trends emerging on the foreign policy front when we see active attempts to undermine the key foundations of international law."
Zarif said that joint projects between Russia and Iran are progressing despite the pressure
Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed hope that after the meeting of the intergovernmental commission, it will be possible to work even more closely on joint Russian-Iranian projects.
"The joint projects that exist between our countries are progressing despite the pressure," he said at talks with Lavrov on Thursday. "I very much hope that the meeting of the intergovernmental commission will be held in October and we will be able to translate these projects into practice and work closely on them."
Zarif stressed that the relations between Iran and the Russian Federation and the way both states oppose unilateral actions of the United States "are an example of preventing the implementation of unilateral measures by other countries."
According to the Minister, Iran is grateful to the Russian Federation for its serious constructive role in the IAEA, as well as in the UN Security Council. "Your representatives and you personally oppose the unconstructive actions of the United States on many platforms, this is very serious. Our Chinese friends also play an important role. But today, taking into account the positive measures that Russia is taking, we can talk about preserving the JCPOA, exchange views on this topic and agree," he said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: MFA
Based on materials TASS