Thursday, 15 June 2006Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos said here in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart that EU is seriously determined to solve Iran's nuclear crisis resorting to diplomacy.
Moratinos added in his meeting with Manouchehr Mottaki at Spain's Ministry of Foreign affairs, "Delivery of the 5+1 proposal of the permanent UN big five and Germany by the EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana to I.R. of Iran last week, inclusive of the proposed Western incentives for Iran, is among the signs of Europe's determination to solve the problem peacefully."
He reiterated, "In that proposal Iran's right to have access to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is recognized."
Moratinos meanwhile pointed out that the Iranian officials' refraining from rejection of the proposal so far "is a step forward" and provides "a good atmosphere" for exchanging viewpoints and achieving consensus over the issue.
The Spanish FM meanwhile asked Iran to continue cooperation with the IAEA.
The IRI Minister of Foreign Affairs Manouchehr Mottaki, too, described the contents of the 5+1 Western proposal as "a step forward", but meanwhile stressed, "The Western package is inclusive of ambiguities regarding the absolute rights of the Iranian nation." He added, "The Islamic Republic of Iran would present its reply to that proposal, after close scrutiny of its contents, in the framework of its own proposal, to the EU."
Among the other issues addressed during the meeting there were the Middle East developments, particularly the latest status in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Moratinos said that the EU, and particularly Spain, were willing for restoration of democracy in Palestine, adding, "We are concerned about the probability of the outbreak of a civil war among Palestinians, whose winner would be Israel."
He asked Iran to mediate in that respect and pave the path for peaceful solution of the Palestinian nation's internal problems.
Mottaki, too, referring to the developments in Palestine after the coming to power of the Hamas government, said, "We all have to respect the people's votes and to assist the Palestinian nation and government to solve their problems."
Mottaki also referred to the constructive role Iran has played in a bid to restore peace and stability in Afghanistan and Iraq, adding, "Tehran backs up the full establishment of Iraq's new popular government."
Moratinos, too, agreed with Mottaki's viewpoints on Iraq and elaborated on the role his country is playing in Afghanistan currently with the stationing of 600 Spanish soldiers in that easter neighbor of Iran.
The two sides during the meeting expressed satisfaction over the good level of bilateral ties, particularly in economic field, pointing out that the volume of the two countries' trade was around two billion euros in 2005.
Mottaki said that President Ahmadinejad's government attaches great importance to ties with Spain and wants all bilateral agreements to be fully implemented.
News sent: 01:10 Thursday June 15, 2006
|
Thursday, 15 June 2006
Iran
|
|
