In Geneva, Iran urges better Russia ties

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says geopolitical solidarity between Tehran and Moscow demands stronger ties between the two countries.

On Monday, Saeed Jalili held talks with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on the sidelines of negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 — Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US plus Germany.

Jalili said Iran places a special value on its relations with Russia, adding that from Tehran’s view the ties between the two countries could be developed in different fields.

Referring to the meeting between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Russian counterpart Dimitry Medvedev in November, Ryabkov described the two countries’ relations as positive.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the Caspian Sea summit, the Iranian and Russian presidents stressed the necessity and importance of formulating and adopting common strategic stances in the international community.

“We needed this round of talks and we will try to help remove the obstacles in the talks,” Ryabkov said.

Jalili and EU Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton, who represents the P5+1, opened the multifaceted talks between Iran and the six powers in Geneva on Monday.

The P5+1, headed by Ashton, comprises of the deputy foreign ministers of member states.

Ryabkov and US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns, respectively, are the representatives of Russia and the US in talks.

Dialogue between Iran and the P5+1 has been stalled since October 1, 2009, when the two sides met in Geneva.