ID :
182957
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 14:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/182957
The shortlink copeid
Iranian Envoy Criticizes Russia's Political Attitude to Trade Issues
TEHRAN, May 18 (FNA)- A senior Iranian diplomat lashed out at Moscow for its politically-tainted considerations in trade ties with foreign countries, saying that Russia's unilateral annulment of the S-300 missile contract with Iran has left a negative impact on the two countries' trade relations and exchanges.
"I believe that Russia's economy is dependent on politics in many aspects, and due to the same reason it is very difficult to bring the level of trade ties to the desired level," Tehran's Ambassador to Moscow Seyed Mahmoud Reza Sajjadi said.
He further put the value of trade exchanges between Iran and Russia at $3 billion, and said that the value could be ten-folded if political considerations are not regarded.
Sajjadi reiterated that Russia's move to breach the contract for the delivery of the sophisticated anti-aircraft S-300 missile system to Iran has resulted in decreased trade exchanges between the two states.
Sajjadi said despite the fact that Iran has adopted certain moves to facilitate cooperation with Moscow, "they (Russians) show too much precaution and avoid taking actions that are even allowed".
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a decree in September prohibiting the sale of S-300 missile systems to Iran, citing restrictions under sanctions the UN Security Council imposed on Tehran in June over its nuclear activities.
Iran dismissed Russia's justification that the ban on the delivery of the S-300 missile system to Iran was in line with the (US-engineered) UN Security Council Resolution 1929, and stated that this is an air defense system which is not included in Resolution 1929.
On June 9, the UN Security Council (UNSC) imposed a US-engineered sanctions resolution against Iran over allegations that Tehran's nuclear program is military in nature.
After the resolution was passed, Moscow said that it was not obliged to drop the S-300 deal with Iran, since it was not referenced in the UNSC resolution.
But after Washington's continued pressures, Moscow later claimed that upon further study of the sanctions resolution, it was freezing the delivery.
Iran criticized Russia, saying that since Resolution 1929 does not specifically ban the delivery of defensive missiles, Moscow has no excuse for refusing to commit to the deal.
"I believe that Russia's economy is dependent on politics in many aspects, and due to the same reason it is very difficult to bring the level of trade ties to the desired level," Tehran's Ambassador to Moscow Seyed Mahmoud Reza Sajjadi said.
He further put the value of trade exchanges between Iran and Russia at $3 billion, and said that the value could be ten-folded if political considerations are not regarded.
Sajjadi reiterated that Russia's move to breach the contract for the delivery of the sophisticated anti-aircraft S-300 missile system to Iran has resulted in decreased trade exchanges between the two states.
Sajjadi said despite the fact that Iran has adopted certain moves to facilitate cooperation with Moscow, "they (Russians) show too much precaution and avoid taking actions that are even allowed".
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a decree in September prohibiting the sale of S-300 missile systems to Iran, citing restrictions under sanctions the UN Security Council imposed on Tehran in June over its nuclear activities.
Iran dismissed Russia's justification that the ban on the delivery of the S-300 missile system to Iran was in line with the (US-engineered) UN Security Council Resolution 1929, and stated that this is an air defense system which is not included in Resolution 1929.
On June 9, the UN Security Council (UNSC) imposed a US-engineered sanctions resolution against Iran over allegations that Tehran's nuclear program is military in nature.
After the resolution was passed, Moscow said that it was not obliged to drop the S-300 deal with Iran, since it was not referenced in the UNSC resolution.
But after Washington's continued pressures, Moscow later claimed that upon further study of the sanctions resolution, it was freezing the delivery.
Iran criticized Russia, saying that since Resolution 1929 does not specifically ban the delivery of defensive missiles, Moscow has no excuse for refusing to commit to the deal.
