MOSCOW, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - Russia has called for convening a meeting of the six mediator countries on the resolution of the Iranian nuclear problem. This issue will be discussed at a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Russia's presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.
“It is necessary to hold another meeting of the six without delay as soon as possible,” he is certain.
“Russia has consistently stood for the resolution of the issue surrounding the Iranian nuclear program through diplomatic methods. Its military solution is impossible,” Ushakov believes.
“It is important that Iran should display the necessary flexibility and meet the requirements of the international community, and the ‘six’ must demonstrate a creative approach and be ready to respond positively to Iran’s reciprocal steps,” said the Kremlin official, adding that “there is major interest to this as well, taking into account statements made by the new president (of Iran).”
According to Ushakov, it is important for the ‘six’ to recognise Iran’s inalienable right to develop peaceful nuclear energy after Tehran settles all the outstanding issues in this sphere.
The issues of Iran’s nuclear program will be discussed not only at the bilateral meeting, but also at the SCO summit.
Russian President and Iranian counterpart will also discuss cooperation in the Caspian Sea Region, including the run-up to a next Caspian summit, which will be held in Russia next year.
“High on the agenda of a meeting is development of regional cooperation in the Transcaucasia and in the Caspian Sea Region,” Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Thursday. “They are also expected to discuss a legal status of the Caspian Sea, the principles of cooperation at sea and the plans to hold a fourth Caspian summit,” he added.
The Kremlin official noted that a meeting between the leaders of the two countries was planned a long time ago. “It is of high interest, as this is the first contact with the newly elected Iranian president,” Ushakov noted.
Ushakov recalled that Putin and Rouhani had a telephone conversation in August. At a coming meeting “the sides agreed to raise trade and economic relations, which were affected over the sanctions against Iran.”
“They decided to give a fresh impetus to governmental organizations so that they will act more actively,” the presidential aide said.