Moscow, January 14 (RHC)-- Russia has welcomed an agreement to begin implementing the first step of the landmark deal struck last November between Iran and six major world powers in Geneva over Tehran's nuclear energy program.

Following three rounds of intense expert-level talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Russia, China, France, Britain and the U.S., plus Germany -- a final meeting between representatives of the European Union and Iran was held. The two sides agreed on the implementation of the Geneva nuclear agreement beginning on Monday, January 20th.

The Russian Foreign Ministry statement issued Monday says that with the implementation of the deal with a six-month time-frame, Western countries' concerns over Iran's civilian nuclear program will be removed, and the U.S. and the EU will ease unilateral sanctions on Iran in return.

Moscow says that the success of the first step could set the stage for future agreements between Iran and the six major powers and the final settlement of the dispute over Tehran's peaceful nuclear activities. And the Russian Foreign Ministry called on all sides to continue constructive cooperation within the course of negotiations over the Iranian nuclear energy program.