Monday, May 29 2006 16:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: The world's most powerful nations are ready to guarantee Iran's right to pursue civil nuclear programmes provided it addresses fears voiced by the UN nuclear watchdog, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavorv today (May 29, 2006) said.

"We are ready at the same time to guarantee Iran the right to develop its civilian nuclear program on the condition that all issues that the IAEA previously had with Iran will be resolved and Iran respects its obligations under the NPT and the protocol to the IAEA convention," Lavrov said.

Addressing the Moscow session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, he said Russia, the EU3 (Britain, France and Germany), China, and the United States are discussing the basis on which Iran might resume nuclear talks.

"We are ready and interested in involving Iran in full-scale economic cooperation, and also in security cooperation in the region," Lavrov added.