Lavrov Says EU Draft On Iran Goes Too Far

Lavrov in Brussels on November 3 (Council of Europe)

November 3, 2006 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says a European draft resolution to impose UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program went far beyond what had been agreed.

"The draft [UN resolution] that was proposed by the EU-3 [Germany, Britain, and France] goes far beyond [our previous] agreements," Lavrov said at a press conference after talks with EU officials in Brussels today.

Major powers are expected to discuss this week at the United Nations the document drafted by Britain, France, and Germany on what steps should be taken against Iran over its nuclear program.

The United States has indicated it considers the draft to be too weak, while Russia and China are opposed to stronger measures.

At the talks today, EU officials had been expected to also raise concerns over tensions between Russia and Georgia. Lavrov said in order to ease tensions, Georgia had to stop what he described as its "hostile rhetoric" and "provocations."

Asked about the current standoff between the government and the opposition in Kyrgyzstan, Lavrov said the situation was "alarming," and said he hoped opposition protests would "stay within the law."

(compiled from agency reports)