Russia Lavrov urges restoration of trust in Iran RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED March 02, 2011 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called on the Iran Six to work on restoring trust in Tehran. Speaking in Geneva, Lavrov said that it was time to reach specific agreements on the Iranian nuclear issue. "I see the gradual approach as the most realistic one, when trust is being restored and Iran starts to react positively to the IAEA and UN Security Council's demands," Lavrov said, adding that Iran's cooperative behavior will ease the sanctions. The West suspects Tehran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program, which Iran strongly denies, insisting it needs atomic energy solely for civilian purposes. Iran is currently under four sets of UN sanctions over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo, as well as an asset ban on three dozen companies and a travel freeze on individuals. The Iran Six, which comprises Russia, the United States, China, Britain, France and Germany, has been trying since 2003 to convince Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program and to alleviate concerns about its nuclear ambitions. Other news: Russia ready to finance Egypt first nuclear plant Russia confirmed its participation in a tender to build Egypt's first nuclear power plant and said it was willing to help finance the project. ARMZ acquires Australian uranium producer in $1.2 bln deal ARMZ will pay eight Australian dollars per share, which represents a 15.5 percent premium on the average market price for 20 trading days. Russia to start building Turkish NPP in 2013 Russia will start building Turkey's first NPP estimated at $20 billion in 2013, Russian ambassador to Ankara Vladimir Ivanovsky said. |
Hero of the day Obama nuclear summit: A minor success Further proof of this fact was provided by Obama Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington on April 12-13. However, this goal is unlikely to be achieved in four years. INTERVIEW
Christophe Behar OPINION
Vladimir Rychin |