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Kiev, Oct 15, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami said in Kiev on Tuesday that Iran and Ukraine welcome peace based on justice.
During his press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Kuchma, the Iranian leader referred to struggles of the two countries for independence, adding "the two nations desire democracy and they will thread the path despite internal and external obstacles."
He further alluded to the history and civilization of Iran and Ukraine and said the two countries are determined to play a more active role at the international stage.
Democracy is not a pre-packaged solution to be forced on nations, said Khatami, adding, any nation has the right to be the master of its own destiny "which is the essence of democracy and should be based on its (national) indigenous values, norms and interests."
He said that the trip by the Iranian delegation to Ukraine is a precursor for closer bilateral ties. "But the expansion of our bilateral ties is not a threat to any third nation," he underlined.
Khatami said that the two countries enjoy a superior geographical location. Iran has a geo-political location in the Middle east and Ukraine is looked at as a link between the East and West.
He said that the two nations are resolved to cement economic, diplomatic, scientific and technical cooperation.
Kuchma said that his country has no difference of opinion with Iran on the possible US attack on Iraq.
"There is no one on the face of the earth who is against peace," Kuchma said adding "Iraq should abide by the UN resolutions and all the resources should be garnered in this respect. Iraq should also show that it does not posses weapons of mass destruction."
On bilateral relations, Kuchma said the two nations' officials are determined to bolster better ties.
He referred to the building of Iran-140 plane which is a joint project between the two countries and expressed hope for the satisfactory continuation of the project.
President Mohammad Khatami arrived in Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Tuesday morning on a two-day official visit to discuss ways of boosting bilateral ties as well as latest regional and international developments.
According to IRNA reporter in Kiev, Ukrainian Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh and Foreign Minister Anatoly Zlenko were on hand to welcome Khatami whose visit takes place on President Kuchma's invitation.
Khatami is due to visit Shevchenko University as well as the Kiev Culture Complex.
He was in Istanbul for a one-day Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit, during which he met with presidents of Tajikistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan.
President Khatami's visit to Kiev comes on the heels of recent trips by Parliament Speaker Mehdi Karroubi and Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ahmad Masjed-Jamei.
Earlier on Tuesday Iran and Ukraine here signed four protocols which lay the foundations of Tehran-Kiev relations and specify principles of bilateral cooperation.
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