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Iranian nuclear program needs to be taken off the table at UNSC – diplomat

VIENNA, February 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Parallel to the talks between Iran and the Sextet, the question is to decide how to marshal efforts at the United Nations Security Council so as to take the Iranian-dosssier issue off the table, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

"One of the subjects we are to discuss within the next several months is how to marshal efforts at the UNSC so as to take the Iranian-dossier issue off the table," the diplomat said.

Ryabkov pointed out that this is essential to do by virtue of the fact that as a result of the adoption of a number of resolutions on Iran "the limit of what can be achieved from the UNSC from the viewpoint of influencing Iran through sanctions" has been reached.

"But the resolutions by their character, by their nature constitute legally binding norms. They are part and parcel of international law and, therefore, to elaborate a comprehensive agreement, which we are to do at these talks, is impossible outside the context of the resolutions".

"We come out in favour of the UNSC's, in good time and simultaneously with the adoption of appropriate decisions, taking steps which would make it possible to normalize the situation around Iran's nuclear program and stating that the sacramental phrase, which is written almost in all UNSC resolutions to the effect that the Council 'continues to address the issue' be excluded due to the fact that it (the Council) no longer 'continues to address it' and that the 'issue is closed','' the RF Deputy Foreign Minister said.