Clinton and Lavrov agree nuclear talks are progressing

Buenos Aires News.Net
Thursday 18th March, 2010

US and Russian negotiations for a strategic arms reduction treaty are said to be going well, with foreign policy chiefs from both countries meeting in Moscow.

The talks between visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have essentially been called to reset bilateral relations which have recently turned sour.

At a Moscow news conference, Foreign Minister Lavrov praised US and Russian arms negotiators for reaching the end stages of the final stretch toward a new bilateral nuclear arms agreement.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also said progress in Geneva had lead both sides to believe agreement would be reached soon.

On Iran's nuclear program, Sergei Lavrov said Russia and the United States share a common strategic goal to not permit any violation of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Secretary Clinton noted that while Iran is entitled to a civilian nuclear power program, it could only pursue it if Tehran were to assure the world it is for peaceful purposes.

She thanked Lavrov for Russian cooperation with respect to Afghanistan, noting that a transit agreement between the presidents of both countries has resulted in flights across Russian territories to ferry soldiers, equipment and food.

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