Brussels, 16/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Iranian nuclear question was at the centre of discussions between the EU Troika and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Vienna on 15 February. The EU reiterated its support for the Russian compromise proposal which would see uranium enrichment carried out in Russia not in Iran. Direct talks between Moscow and Tehran on this issue are due to be held on 20 February, Mr Lavrov confirmed in Vienna. The EU and Russia share the same opinion that, at this stage, only a diplomatic solution can be envisaged to resolve the Iranian problem and the imposition of sanctions would only worsen the situation. “Sanctions would not help. They never allow the solution to a problem to be reached. They are merely a prelude to further exacerbation,” commented Mr Lavrov after the meeting with the EU Troika. Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, who led the EU Troika, stressed that “The position of the European Union to find a diplomatic solution to the disagreement on nuclear policy with Iran is unchanged”. Mrs Plassnik repeated that Iran had to give up its uranium enrichment activities, the resumption of which at its Natanz plant Tehran confirmed in 14 February (see EUROPE 9131). “We call on Iran to reverse this action,” she said.
The new Russian law, which has been severely criticised, on closer controls over NGO activities in Russia was also raised during discussions in Vienna. “We raised our concerns. We will closely monitor the implementation of this law,” said Mrs Plassik. Mr Lavrov pointed out that, before the adoption of the final version of the law, Moscow took heed of several criticisms and recommendations from the Council of Europe, the EU, the NGOs themselves and the Russian Civil Chamber (a consultative body to the President to promote the interests of civil society).
Both parties spoke of EU/Russia relations after 2007, when the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) expires. “We hope that the experts will put forward their proposals for the Summit with the EU which should take place in May,” said Mr Lavrov.
Human Rights in Russia, and in Chechnya in particular were also discussed. Regular EU-Russia human rights discussions, launched in early 2005, form an “important element” of bilateral relations, stressed Mrs Plassnik. “Part of open dialogue among friends is that questions are addressed on which we are not necessarily of the same opinion. This includes the situation in Chechnya and the situation of non-governmental organisations in Russia,” she told journalists. “We thank the EU for its proposal to help finance the reconstruction of Chechnya,” said Mr Lavrov.
On the international political level, the main topic of discussion was the Middle East and the future Palestinian government. “Our line towards Hamas is clear: renunciation of the use of violence, recognition of the right of Israel to exist and adherence to the existing agreements and obligations,” stresses Mrs Plassnik. “There is no reason to doubt that Russia will be consistent on these principles in its announced contacts with Hamas,” she said (it is known that President Putin intends to invite Hamas leaders to Moscow for talks). Other issues raised in Vienna were post-Soviet, “frozen” conflicts (Transnistria, Abkhasia and South Ossetia) and the situation in Kosovo and in the Balkans in general.