A new UN Security Council resolution on Iran, agreed on Tuesday by the United States, Russia and China, does not mark the end of diplomatic relations, Chinese media cited the country's permanent representative to the UN as saying.
"The circulation of the draft resolution at the Security Council does not mean the door for the diplomatic efforts has been closed," Li Baodong told Chinese official news agency Xinhua, adding that, in fact, the draft presented new opportunities.
The Iran Six (France, Britain, Germany, the United States, Russia and China) began discussing the draft resolution on April 19.
Xinhua said the draft reflects a "double track" strategy: implementing sanctions on Iran but also encouraging diplomatic efforts.
"We have repeatedly stressed that even though the six countries launched the discussion of sanctions against Iran, diplomatic efforts should not be halted," Li said.
"Countries maintain regular, legitimate economic and trade relations with Iran should not be punished due to the Iran nuclear issue."
Li said the draft resolution was now ready for circulation around the entire Security Council.
The resolution follows the signing by the Iranian, Brazilian, and Turkish foreign ministers on Monday of an agreement on the exchange of low-enriched uranium to fuel Tehran's scientific research reactor. An Iranian Foreign Ministry official representative said Tehran had agreed to swap in Turkey most of its 3.5%-enriched uranium for 20%-enriched fuel.
"We welcome and attach importance to the agreement that Iran signed with Brazil and Turkey, and this is a positive step forward in the right direction," Li said.
BEIJING, May 19 (RIA Novosti)
