Russia says it shares China's position on Iranian nuclear programs

Russia and China share the same position regarding Iran's nuclear programs, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency Tuesday.

Speaking to Russian reporters in London after meeting with his Chinese counterpart, &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/354/15373_rice.html' target=_blank>Lavrov said Moscow and Beijing shared the same approach on how to handle Tehran's ongoing atomic efforts.

"I must emphasize the importance of our relations, our cooperation ... especially in the discussions of such an important program like atomic problem with Iran," Lavrov was quoted as saying by Interfax. "It is very important that the mutual position of our two countries is supported.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak was scheduled to head to Tehran on Wednesday along with a Chinese envoy for talks with the Iranian leadership.

China and Russia, longtime allies and trading partners of Iran, on Tuesday joined France, Britain and the United States in calling on the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to transfer the &to=http://www.rian.ru' target=_blank>Iran dossier to the Security Council.

Russia and China's backing for a move to the council surprised observers because they have consistently counseled caution on Iran's nuclear file. Both have major economic ties with Iran.

Earlier, Lavrov stressed that the U.N. Security Council will not make any decisions on the Iranian nuclear issue following a presentation by the U.N. nuclear watchdog this week.