MOSCOW. Sept 19 (Interfax-AVN) - Tensions surrounding the Iranian nuclear problem can be relieved by political and diplomatic means and through dialogue with Iran only, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yakovenko said.
"One has to continue interaction to relieve tensions surrounding the Iranian nuclear problem and settle the current situation by political and diplomatic means," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yakovenko told a news conference at Interfax.
"It is important to hold dialogue with Iran, bring them to constructive positions, solve all issues in the IAEA and define the steps that Tehran could make to restore trust to its nuclear problem," the diplomat said.
Russia is seriously worried about "the terrorist activity of Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other extremist forces in Afghanistan," he said.
"The promotion of national consent in Afghanistan should go on with strict compliance with the regime of anti-Taliban sanctions imposed by the Resolution 1267 of the UN Security Council. Only people who do not have the dirt of war crimes on them could return to peaceful life," he said.
"Any attempts to play with extremists and their gradual 'reintroduction' into authority threatens further destabilization," Yakovenko said.
Speaking about the Middle East settlement, the diplomat said that Russia emphasizes the promotion of Palestinian-Israeli talks and the development of agreements on the final status of the Palestinian territories.
The creation of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state that would coexist peacefully and securely with Israel is still a priority, he said.
"Positive results in this dialogue are impossible without reciprocal steps being taken by the parties in the real improvement of the situation, primarily in the security area, in line with the Road Map provisions," Yakovenko said.
The deputy foreign minister also touched upon the Iraqi issue, saying that long-term stabilization in the country can be secured only by joint effort of all political forces in Iraq, as well as neighboring countries, the UN and its Security Council along with the whole international community.
"An important condition for putting an end to violence and bloodshed in Iraq is the development of national security forces. Their ability to control the situation and the real results of the political process should allow the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country," he said.