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Lavrov Says the Main Priority in Korea Must Be Talks and Conflict Prevention

© Sputnik / Irina Kalashnikova / Go to the mediabankRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov - Sputnik International
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that the implementation of the Russian-Chinese plan on North Korea may considerably reduce tensions in the region.

Russia's top diplomat called on the international community to prevent an escalation in the peninsula. According to Sergei Lavrov, such a conflict will lead to disaster.

"The solution [to the situation on the Korean Peninsula] needs vigorous diplomatic efforts. The main thing at the current stage is to prevent a military conflict which will lead to a large-scale humanitarian, economic and environmental catastrophe," Sergei Lavrov said, speaking at the Nonproliferation Conference in Moscow.

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, "all involved sides should exercise self-control."

He pointed out that there is no alternative to resolving the problem on the Korean peninsula through a dialogue between all interested parties.

READ MORE: Russian Foreign Minister: No Alternative to a Peaceful Solution in North Korea

"We call on the accountable members of the international community to support the ideas expressed in the Russian-Chinese roadmap for settlement," Sergei Lavrov said.

Russia's top diplomat noted that Russia and China are convinced that the implementation of the roadmap will help to reduce military activity and tensions on the Korean Peninsula. It will also help to create a system of equal and indivisible security in Northeast Asia.

Iran Nuclear Deal

Speaking about problems around JCPOA, Sergei Lavrov said that any attempts to change the Iran nuclear deal may "bury this crucial agreement in the field of strategic stability and nuclear non-proliferation."

Russia hopes that joint efforts will help preserve JCPOA on Iran, the diplomat added.

Russia Alarmed by NATO Plans to Replace Dual-Use Air Equipment in Europe

Russia is watching with alarm NATO's plans to replace dual-use air equipment in Europe, Lavrov added.

"We are monitoring with concern the implementation of plans to improve nuclear bombs, including those deployed in Europe, including increasing their accuracy and possible reduction in capacity. We are observing with alarm NATO countries' efforts to replace dual-use air equipment, intended for both conventional and nuclear tasks, "Lavrov said at the Moscow Nonproliferation Conference.

Moscow Not Planning to Join Other Treaties Banning Nuclear Weapons Aside From NPT

Moscow is not planning to join any other treaties banning nuclear weapons in addition to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"We are compelled to note that the regime created by this document [NPT], which has laid the legal bases for a number of [other] agreements, is going through difficult times now, faces serious challenges," the minister said at the Moscow Nonproliferation Conference.

Lavrov noted that it was caused by the fact that some countries attempted to use "achievements which have been reached by the joint efforts" in their own interests.

INF Treaty

Russia remains committed to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty despite it is in a "difficult situation now," the top diplomat underscored, adding that Moscow is ready to discuss concerns of the parties to the agreement.

"Unfortunately, Washington continues to circulate unsubstantiated accusations against us without giving any further details. Such approach does not contribute to solving the problems related to the treaty. On the contrary, there is a suspicion that the true purpose of such blatant statements is to portray Russia as a persistent violator of its international commitments, without telling about its own impurity." 

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