Stances of Iran, P5+1 on uranium enrichment do not match - Ryabkov
MOSCOW. March 20 (Interfax) - The stances of Iran and the P5+1 of international mediators on future uranium enrichment in Iran do not correspond with one another and Iranian partners set "far-reaching" demands, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax on Thursday.
"The stances in this regard are far apart. The Sextet is taking the known line that a solution based on the Geneva plan of actions is to be found. Iranians do not agree with this but their demands are quite far-reaching," Ryabkov said.
Ryabkov participated in the latest round of talks between Iran and the P5+1 on March 19, during which special attention was paid to "issues of limiting Iran's enrichment activities and prospects of Iran's enrichment activities in general."
"This is a very serious issue, very time-consuming and causing many disputes," Ryabkov said.
As to the sanctions aspect of the negotiations, in particular the prospect of lifting sanctions from Iran, "I do not take it upon myself to judge whether this decision will be made and how functional it will be taking into account the differences in stances. Probably, something different will be drafted but this is the issue that for now we are at a stage when common and single understanding for everyone does not exist in regard to what decisions and what aspects of this most complex problem will turn out to be generally acceptable. This is the reason for our anxiety and concern and why we start saying that less and less time is left and that it is necessary to switch to searching for solutions," Ryabkov said.
"Our stance is that all sanctions - those approved by the UN Security Council and unilateral ones introduced by the United State, European Union and other countries - will be lifted after a basic agreement is reached. Which, on the one hand, will include recognizing Iran's rights by the international community, including Iran's right to uranium enrichment, in exchange for suspending the Iranian program under comprehensive international control," Ryabkov said.
"I do not take it upon myself to judge whether our EU partners and U.S. colleagues are ready for such a drastic decision. This is an aspect of negotiations and they should be asked this question," Ryabkov said.
