Russian Envoy Underlines Iran's Goodwill For Talks With G5+1

Moscow, March 7, IRNA – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and senior negotiator in nuclear affairs Sergey Ryabkov said Iran has proven its goodwill for negotiation with G5+1 and it is beneficial for the group to start negotiation with Iran. Referring to letter of secretary of Iran Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili to European Union Foreign Policy Chief Katherine Ashton, Ryabkov told IRNA on Tuesday that the letter and other Iranian measures show that Tehran is ready for negotiation. He added that Iran hosted high ranking delegation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) twice in recent months and in these visits Iran sensitive nuclear issues have been discussed. The Russian senior diplomat said that Tehran has proven its readiness for negotiation and it is beneficial for Group 5+1 that the talks do not stop long. He also underlined that the venue and date of negotiation be determined as soon as possible and pointed out that this negotiation should not stop more than one year because it would be inexcusable. Russia has started enormous efforts to resume negotiation between Iran and Group 5+1. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently declared that his country hopes that negotiation between Iran and Group 5+1 resumes. He stressed that Moscow is willing to settle Iran nuclear issue through negotiation./end