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Medvedev, Ahmadinejad discuss Russian initiative

The sides agreed to go ahead with consultations on the matter

MOSCOW, January 5 (Itar-Tass) — RF President Dmitry Medvedev and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran had a telephone conversation on Thursday on the initiative of the Iranian side, the Kremlin press service announced.

The Heads of State discussed matters of current importance concerning the development of bilateral cooperation in 2012.

The two presidents exchanged views on regional problems. The sides declared in favour of stepping up efforts to elaborate a Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, and a solution to the problems of the Caspian, including ecology, fishery, etc. The importance of implementing the accords reached at the Third Caspian summit in Baku was pointed out in this connection.

As for the Middle East situation, which is a subject of serious concern for the entire world community, Medvedev and Ahmadinejad expressed firm conviction that it is possible to solve the problems of the region, including the situation in Syria, exclusively by political methods, through the establishment of a dialogue between all the sides concerned. Support was expressed for the efforts being made within the framework of the United Nations, regional and other international organizations towards achieving this goal.

Dmitry Medvedev pointed out with satisfaction a positive assessment by the President of Iran of the Russian initiative: a plan for a stage-by-stage restoration of trust in the Iranian nuclear programme. The sides agreed to go ahead with consultations on the matter.

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Unidentified man attempts suicide outside courthouse where Trump trial is underway

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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