By IRNA
Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Iran and Kosovo during a phone conversation Monday evening, government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm told journalists in Berlin.
Both sides have stressed that it “makes sense and it is necessary to continue the talks within the framework of the E3 plus 3-nation talks and proceed in close coordination,” the Merkel spokesperson added.
Contrary to Germany, Russia strongly opposes the tightening of sanctions against Iran.
On Kosovo, Merkel and Putin said that an “escalation of the crisis has to be avoided under any circumstances,” Wilhelm said.
Although the European Union is prepared to recognize the independence of the Serbian breakaway republic of Kosovo, Moscow has warned against such step, saying it could destabilize the entire western Balkan region.