Lavrov highlights Iran’s right to enrichment

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reiterated Iran’s entitlement to a peaceful nuclear program, including uranium enrichment under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Lavrov’s remarks came Wednesday during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran. The Russian diplomat travelled to Iran an official visit to expand bilateral ties and discuss cooperation on a range of regional and international issues.

During the Wednesday meeting, Lavrov also stressed the necessity of implementing the recent deal reached between Iran and six major world powers at the end of recent nuclear negotiations.

Zarif thanked the top Russian diplomat for Moscow’s key role during the talks.

The Iranian foreign minister further described Tehran-Moscow close cooperation as essential and stressed the need to stem the spread of extremism in the Arab country.

“The use of force and foreign interference is not acceptable whatsoever regarding the Syrian issue. It is essential to help stop the bloodshed, preserve the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and let the Syrian people determine their own destiny,” Zarif said.

The two top diplomats also discussed ways to forge closer partnership on regional and international matters, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, culture and energy as well as science and technology.

Lavrov said his country was keen to hold consultations with Iran on regional and global issues such those regarding Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Egypt, Caspian Sea and nuclear matters.

The two also described the year 2014 as significant, predicting that terrorism as well as rising narcotics production and smuggling will be among the major scourges throughout the year.

Following the Wednesday meeting, the two held a press conference where they both dismissed the use of force as a non-starter to end the Syria crisis, urging a diplomatic settlement of the conflict.