Russia: Feb 16 talks with Iran to cover whole range of ties
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-07 16:45

A top diplomat said Tuesday that Russia's February 16 talks with Iran would cover not only Moscow's offer to enrich Iranian uranium on Russian territory, but also a whole range of issues concerning the two countries' ties, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

Moscow "is counting on conducting consultations with Iran on February 16 on the proposed joint venture to enrich uranium," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak was quoted as saying. "Not only the nuclear dossier, but also the whole complex of relations with Iran will be discussed at these consultations in Moscow."

Russia has been urging Tehran not to backpedal on its agreement to the Moscow meeting in spite of its threats to restart its own enrichment activities. Iran says it wants to make fuel through enrichment, but the activity can also generate the nuclear core of warheads.

Russia's proposal for joint enrichment "is intended to remove all the worries around its nuclear program," Kislyak was quoted as saying.