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Iran, Belgium foreign ministers explore venues for cooperation |
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Tehran, June 11, IRNA -- Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Louis Michel and Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here on Tuesday held talks on ways to develop bilateral, regional and international cooperation. Michel called Iran as a key source of stability and strength in the region and stressed ''on Brussels unwavering resolve for expansion of bilateral ties with Iran in all areas.'' Michel lauded Iran's diplomatic, economic and social development and welcomed exchange of views between the two countries for reaching a common understanding between the two countries. The European-Iranian relations is in line with their long-term interest, he said, adding that the European Unions (EU) is interested in expansion of economic and trade ties with Iran. Kharrazi referred the 170 years of ties between the two nations and emphasized the need to boost bilateral ties. He said that Iran welcomes bolstering cooperation with the EU and Belgium in particular. He further stressed expansion of trade and industrial ties between the two countries' private sectors. Kharrazi also alluded to the recent trip by the Belgian parliamentary speaker to Tehran and called for more parliamentary, cultural and tourism cooperation between the two nations. On Palestine, he expressed concern about Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people and urged the Europeans to wade-in to find solutions to the Middle East crisis and restoration of the Palestinian nation's rights. They also discussed other regional developments, including Afghanistan and stressed on the need for calm between India and Pakistan. Kharrazi also briefed his Belgian counterpart on Iran's peace efforts in the Indian sub-continent. Michel arrived here Tuesday morning for a two-day visit to discuss trade between Iran and the European Union. Upon arrival at the Mehrabad International Airport, he told reporters that he is "very optimistic" about a trade agreement which Iran and the European Union are intending to sign. The European Union is seeking to expand its ties with Iran in line with the policy of 'dialogue among civilizations' announced as an international theme in 2001 by the United Nations on President Mohammad Khatami's initiative, he added. Belgium attaches high importance to Iran in its foreign policy and is determined to expand its ties with the Islamic Republic in all economic, political, regional and international fields, Michel said. Michel will leave Tehran on Thursday for Georgia. |
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