“Moscow and Beijing are interested in preserving and fully implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Friday, reported Russian media.
Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi held a bilateral meeting at opulent Palais Coburg Hotel of Vienna on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting between foreign ministers of P4+1 (Germany plus permanent members of the UNSC but US) and Iran featuring EU foreign policy chief Mogherini.
"Just like our Chinese counterparts, we are interested in preserving and fully implementing the JCPOA. The situation is complex, but, just like China and other parties to the deal, we are committed to international law and the UN Security Council’s decision this plan was enshrined in thus becoming part of international law," the Russian diplomatic chief stressed.
"Today [we have] a very good opportunity to exchange views on our bilateral relations in furtherance of a very successful summit held in Beijing last month in the run-up to the SCO summit in Qingdao," Lavrov noted.
He thanked his Chinese counterpart for wishing success to the Russian team at the FIFA World Cup. “I am confident by the next tournament our Chinese friends will reach the heights in the art of football the way you succeed in other areas,” Lavrov added.
“We agree that good news is hard to come by in today’s world, but there are exceptions. These exceptions concern Russian-Chinese relations,” the minister added.
The two top diplomats met ahead of the ministerial meeting in Vienna initiated by Tehran. Its participants (the foreign ministers of Iran, the UK, Germany, China, Russia and France) will focus on efforts to salvage the nuclear deal in the wake of Washington’s decision to withdraw from it.
The Friday meeting of EU/E3+2 top diplomats in Vienna, between the FMs of UK, Germany, Iran, France, China, Russia and the EU, is the first foreign ministers' meeting by parties remaining within the JCPOA after US President Trump unilaterally abandoned the deal.
Hours before the Friday meeting, the Iranian diplomatic chief Zarif posted a message on his Twitter page late on Thursday, warning the world that having both Iran comply with the nuclear agreement and sanctions against Iran at the same time is impossible.
YNG/PR