Russia has welcomed an agreement to begin implementing the first step of the landmark deal struck last November between Iran and six major world powers in Geneva over Tehrans nuclear energy program.Following three rounds of intense expert-level talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Russia, China, France, Britain, and the US -- plus Germany and a final meeting between Helga Schmid, a deputy for European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, andIranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, the two sides agreed on the implementation of the Geneva nuclear agreement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Monday, IRIB reported.
The statement added that with implementation of the deal within a six-month timeframe,Western countries concerns over Irans civilian nuclear program will be removed, and the US and the EU will ease unilateral sanctions on Iran in return.
The Russian Foreign Ministry further hoped for the successful execution of the first step of the Geneva nuclear agreement, noting that the success of the first step could set the stage for future agreements between Iran and the six major powers and the final settlement of the dispute over Tehrans peaceful nuclear activities.
The statement also called on all sides to continue constructive cooperation within the course of negotiations over the Iranian nuclear energy program.
On Sunday, Iran and the six powers finalized an agreement on ways to take the first step to implement the Geneva nuclear deal, which the two sides struck in the Swiss city of Geneva on November 24, 2013, from January 20.
Araqchi said once Iran begins to implement the Geneva deal, the six will begin to ease sanctions on Tehran.
He added that the other side will release $4.2 billion in Iranian frozen assets in eight stages and Iran, in return, will oxidize its 20-percent-enriched uranium within a year.
By Press TV
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