Brussels, 14/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 14 April, the European Union underlined its concern about Russia's decision to authorise the delivery of S-300 air defence systems to Iran.
“We take note of Russia's decision to allow Russia to ship S-300 air defence systems to Iran. This is not a new issue (…) and we have expressed our concerns in the past. We continue to be concerned”, said Catherine Ray, a spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
“We don't believe that (this decision) affects the ongoing negotiations” on the Iranian nuclear programme, Ray nevertheless stated. “All efforts are currently being made, following the decisive step taken on 2 April, to help the finalisation of the final agreement. The experts and political directors will meet in the coming days to resume the work”, she added.
On Monday, Russia announced the end of the ban on delivering its S-300 anti-missile systems to Iran. Moscow believed that the framework agreement signed on 2 April would enable it to do this without a possible lifting of sanctions. An $800 million sale was agreed between Russia and Iran in 2007. On 14 April, Iran hoped to receive these S-300 systems by the end of the year. In the US's view, the possible sale and delivery of this equipment, which is capable of intercepting missiles or planes in flight, will not help the conclusion of a final agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme in the slightest. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)