Lavrov: Iran can play significant role in regional developments

Moscow, April 12, IRNA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic of Iran can play a prominent role in resolving regional issues in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as other parts of the Middle East region.

Lavrov made the remark in the meeting of foreign policy and defensive
council of Russia on Saturday.

Relations between Russia and its neighbor Iran is expanding at a high
speed, he said adding that his country spares no efforts to remove
remaining ambiguities over peaceful nature of Iran?s nuclear activities.

?Pressure on Iran has exceeded beyond our agreements with our
partners,? he said.

?We are to underline that after removal of existing ambiguities, Iran
will enjoy equal rights as other members of the NPT do,? he underlined.

He strongly denied any link between the issue of missile shield and
Iran?s nuclear program and said deployment of US missile system in
East Europe should be attributed to offensive strategic weapons
agreements between Russia and the US.

He also expressed satisfaction with improvement of relations between
Russia and the US and said ?We need more time for confidence building
between the two countries.?

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