Iran agreement could be reached for the first time in 6 years – Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that for the first time in many years, “a real opportunity” exists for reaching an agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1.
Releasing a statement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry outlined details of Lavrov’s meeting on Friday with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Swiss city.

According to the statement, Lavrov told Zarif that Moscow “will continue to contribute in every possible way to the achievement of the agreement, which will serve the interests of all parties involved in negotiations and will contribute to strengthening stability and security in the world.”

The ministers specifically discussed in detail potential stumbling blocks to reaching an agreement.

“Lavrov specifically stressed that for the first time in many years the six world powers and Iran have a real opportunity to reach an agreement. It is in the common interest to make this happen,” the statement added.

The foreign ministers of the P5+1 group (the US, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany) are to attend a historic gathering that might put an end to decades-long sanctions against Iran.

Accordign to the Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Lavrov also had a separate meeting with the European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton in Geneva.

Talks between Iran and the sextet begun in the Swiss city on November 20.

So far, six round of talks were held by the Iranian foreign minister and Ms. Ashton. The two are to meet later on Saturday.