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Transcript of Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov Remarks at Press Conference

Following Talks with Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Hasan Rowhani

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Daily News Bulletin

November 11, 2003

2564-10-11-2003

Esteemed ladies and gentlemen.

We are glad to greet the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran in Moscow. Just now the Honorable Mr. Secretary was received by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. During the conversation important questions of bilateral cooperation, as well as pressing international problems were considered.

We attach great importance to the fact that the Honorable Mr. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran at his meeting with the President of Russia announced the decision of the Iranian leadership to sign an additional protocol to its IAEA Safeguards Agreement, and from today suspend uranium enrichment. That these statements were made in Moscow, at a meeting with the President of Russia, underlines the high degree of cooperation and mutual trust between our countries and of coordination of our efforts on the international scene. Russia presumes that the implementation of these decisions by the Iranian leadership will remove the concerns of the international community regarding Iran's nuclear programs and will open up additional possibilities for cooperation with Iran in various areas, including in the nuclear field.

In discussing global problems special attention was devoted to efforts in the combating of international terrorism. An appropriate agreement has been signed between our countries, and working groups have been established. As Mr. Secretary has noted, the Iranian leadership intends to continue to fight international terrorism. The very fact that it has been in Iran that more than 500 Al-Qaida members have been arrested indicates that this work is being carried out in practice.

It was also agreed to continue to coordinate our efforts in the interest of resolving the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq and of dealing with questions linked to the status of the Caspian Sea. A keen mutual interest was expressed in the further expansion of bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Mr. Secretary confirmed the invitation to the President of Russia to pay a visit to Iran. This invitation was accepted with gratitude. We shall actively work on the content of this visit to ensure that it becomes an important step in the development of our bilateral cooperation.