Moscow is worried by the possibility that the beginning of the implementation of agreements between the P5+1 group of world powers and Iran concerning the Iranian nuclear program might be delayed to January 2014 because of the EU's position, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"Unfortunately, the beginning of the first phase is being delayed, because the European Union has told us that these agreements have to be endorsed by all the EU member-states. The next opportunity for this will be on December 16 this year," Lavrov said on Rossiya-24 news TV channel on Saturday.


"However, there are indications that the European Union members might be unable to endorse this package this time around, and then everything will be put off until January. That is, the counting of the six-month period for implementing the first phase will be delayed for one more month," he said.


"We are worried by this, and we will try to learn from our EU counterparts what these so-called insurmountable obstacles are because of which the endorsement of the agreement, which everyone has called a historic breakthrough and whose implementation everyone wishes, has in fact been delayed for many weeks," he said.


Iran-sextet agreements in Geneva contribute to Israel’s Security - Ryabkov


The Geneva accords achieved by Iran and the sextet of international mediators contribute to Israel’s greater security, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the government-published Rossiiskaya Gazeta in an interview.


"This is a long-expected result, and it is our deep conviction it will benefit Israel and contribute to its greater security. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed this idea in a message to the Federal Assembly. We shall be explaining this in detail in our contacts with our Israeli counterparts," Ryabkov said.


By Voice of Russia

 

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