By IANS,
Moscow : Russia has said it will not change its policy towards Iran under pressure from Europe and the US, IRNA reported Tuesday.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin said: “Despite some countries which demanded for a change in Russia’s policy on Iran, Russian officials see no reason for doing so.”
The Russian leader was referring to the recent Munich Security Conference in Germany where some European leaders urged Russia to change its stand on Iran, which they believe is trying to make a nuclear weapon.
Borodavkin said: “Russia will continue its close ties with Iran.”
He said the construction of Bushehr Atomic Power Plant (being built with help from Russia) would be completed according to schedule.
According to the agreement signed by Iran and Russia in 1995, the plant will be operational in August and its main contractor would be Russia’s Atomstroyexport.
“Iran and Russia attach importance to regional security as well as stability in the Caspian Sea region, based on the mutual interests,” Borodavkin said.
He said the bilateral trade between the two countries hit $3.2 billion in 2008 and they will continue to collaborate in the areas of nuclear, gas and oil sectors.
Referring to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that will initiate an international conference on Afghanistan in March at which Iran is to act as an observer, Borodavkin hoped Iran would play an active role in that conference and bilateral ties between the two nations would further develop.