[Unofficial translation from Russian].

Foreign Minister Lavrov: At today's meeting of the Foreign Ministers from the European Troika, Russia, the US and China, with the participation of High Representative of the European Union Javier Solana, we discussed the situation that has evolved following the no-progress talks yesterday between Solana and Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, on the proposals the six countries delivered to Teheran more than a month ago, at the beginning of June.We are, of course, disappointed by the absence of a positive reaction from the Iranian side, particularly since this runs counter to what Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was saying at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin a month ago within the framework of their participation in the SCO summit in Shanghai.

As we agreed at the beginning of June in Vienna, where the Six prepared their proposals to Iran on the start of comprehensive talks, in this situation we have to return to the work that had been conducted in the UN Security Council on a resolution which must back up the IAEA's stand and requirements concerning the nuclear program of Iran. As is known, this work was suspended because we were awaiting Iran's response to our negotiation proposals. That work will soon be resumed in the Security Council. In its framework the talk will proceed, first and foremost, about support for the IAEA's position - about support for the specific questions that the organization has addressed to Iran and about support of the IAEA's call to suspend uranium enrichment activities.

We hope that after the UN Security Council formulates its position - perhaps even earlier, because there is always time for that - the Iranian leadership will nevertheless weigh up the situation once again and give consent to starting the negotiations the Six have proposed, in whose framework it is possible to discuss any questions of interest to the Iranian side.

Should this not happen, then the Security Council will of course consider further possible steps that will be adequate to the situation, and as before, directed to achieve the chief objective of ensuring Iran's cooperation with the IAEA.

I want to especially stress that, as in all the previous documents that were agreed in the framework of the six countries, the formulations are expressly reaffirmed today that exclude the possibility of the UN Security Council authorizing force actions against Iran. We are convinced that this is a road leading to nowhere, to yet another crisis in a region which is already being daily replenished with new conflict situations. The only method to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem is the way of negotiations.

Question: Did I understand you correctly that it is the common position of the Six not to envisage in the UNSC's future resolution a reference to the chapter allowing sanctions?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Yes, it is the common position of the Six.

Question: How much time does Iran now have to be able to reply once again? Do you consider the possibility of applying economic sanctions?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I have already said that in addition to the five weeks since the delivery to the Iranian leadership of the Six's proposals, Iran still has today and tomorrow and some more time while the work on the resolution starts and ends in the UNSC. We expect that Iran won't be guessing how much time it has left, but weighs up the situation on the basis of the very serious and constructive proposals which the Six delivered to the Iranian leadership as a basis for negotiations. By the way, for the sake of total clarity as to the position of the Six it was today decided to make those proposals public. This will soon be done so that it will become understandable to all that these proposals are serious, formulated in the spirit of goodwill and of considerable benefit to Iran in the case of their acceptance.

With respect to further steps of the Security Council, as I have already said, should the call backing the IAEA requirements not receive proper response, then, of course, after a time the UNSC will again take up this question and consider all options. But, I repeat it, action options that will be adequate to the situation and to whether there is a real threat to the nonproliferation regime.

Question: Will this question be submitted for discussion by the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Meetings of the G8 leaders usually discuss all urgent international topics. In this case there is the common understanding that the group of six countries plus Solana play a leading role concerning the Iranian file. I think that, of course, the leaders will discuss this topic and hopefully render support to the efforts the Six are undertaking.

Question: Mr. Larijani said Iran will give its reply after August 20. When approximately will the UNSC convene to discuss Iran's file?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: As to when the reply will be, the most diverse dates have been named - earlier and shorter timeframes than the second half of August. I don't think the UN Security Council will convene today, but in the foreseeable and not distant future. This resolution has yet to be prepared. It was discussed, the work on it was suspended and concrete formulations still have to be agreed.

Question: Does the UN Security Council have any other instruments to influence the situation?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: The Security Council's range of instruments is fairly extensive. There are temporary measures, which are measures of persuasion, and trade-and-economic and other sanctions and there is the possibility to okay use of force. The last mentioned instrument is absolutely excluded from all the accords that are recorded on paper in the Six framework.

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