Brussels, 18/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 October, the Russian minister for foreign affairs, Sergei Lavrov, was “very concerned” by the new “unilateral” European sanctions against Iran. The sanctions were adopted on 15 October and he described them as “unacceptable”, saying that they “undermined the resumption of negotiations with Iran, in which, in our opinion, there has been some progress”. He added that the Russians “again have to state that the short-sighted actions of the EU apply a severe blow to the unity of the six international mediators” (Germany, France, United Kingdom, China, United States and Russia).
Lavrov stated that Russia “will continue to consistently pursue the speedy organisation of the next round of talks in the format of the Six + Iran”. On Thursday 18 October, the deputy minister for foreign affairs, Sergei Riabkov, said to the Interfax agency that it was realistic to speak of organising a meeting in November and that the Russian side was working hard for the negotiations to take place then. He added that the next round of negotiations between the EU high representative, Catherine Ashton, and the Iranian chief negotiator, Saeed Jalili, with the participation of the political directors of the group of six was being discussed.
Without giving details on the date or place of the meeting for the future negotiations, Riabkov said that they would not be taking place in Moscow, and said that he was in favour of an “acceptable place” which is more neutral than the capital of one of the negotiator countries.
Everything well for the EU. Michael Mann, the spokesperson for Ashton, told EUROPE that “the Six agreed in New York on the approach to follow” and that they are “completely united”. He added that Ashton has been appointed to contact the Iranians on “how to continue the negotiation process”. Hoping for a “serious discussion with them (the Iranians) as soon as possible”, Mann did not confirm a possible meeting in November. (CG/transl.fl)