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Tehran, July 19, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami said here on Thursday that the West and the world of Islam should start a new phase of dialogue to find ways of better living for themselves and human beings.
Khatami, in a meeting with the visiting Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament Elmar Brok, said under present sensitive conditions dialogue between the two civilizations of East, particularly Islam, and West is extremely important for its impact on future of the world free from any political and economic considerations.
He said opposition against war and terrorism, defending of pirituality and implementation of justice are the three common points on which the world nations can hold a dialogue.
He added that the policy makers should prepare necessary grounds for real dialogue among thinkers, philosophers and artists.
Khatami recalled differences and distinctions among countries on the way of their access to freedom and democracy, and called independence, freedom and progress as the major demands of Iranians.
He said there is no single way for the establishment of democracy and freedom in a society, stressing that nations can obtain an experience of other forms of democracy by relying on their religious and cultural dictates.
Khatami added that the experience of moving towards democracy in Iran would be followed on the basis of an Islamic insight, which goes with man's freedom and rights.
The President said Iranian government and nation would try to pass the way in shorter time with the least expenses.
He stressed refusing to impose views on others, remove weak points of democracy in the west and strengthening new models of democracy.
Khatami said Iran is far ahead of other countries due to the status of its women, universities and press, which are far ahead of the standards set forth by the west.
He said that Iran tries to meet its real needs in the fields of economic and science and move towards all-out development with success.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Khatami said Iran's support for the Palestinian people is something ethical and right.
"The Middle East is in need of peace and durable peace would be restored just in light of restoration of the rights of all the Palestinians, including the residents of the land and the refugees," said Khatami.
The stances of Europe vis-a-vis the Middle East issues are times fair and logical than those of the US and Iranians believe that Europe should have more active presence in the field, said the President.
He said cooperation in anti-drugs campaign is among grounds for cooperation between Iran and the European Union.
Brok for his part highlighted common bonds between the West and the world of Islam and Iran, as one of the important centers of civilization in the East. He said that many differences and conflicts in the past resulted from misunderstandings and disputes.
He praised Iranian people's endeavors in the way of achieving freedom and democracy and stressed removal of certain problems through adhering common principles.
He said that European Parliament favors expansion of dialogue with Iran to remove misunderstanding.
He added that campaign against smuggle of drugs and terrorism, dismantle of the mass destruction weapons and settlement of the Middle East issues are among common grounds for mutual cooperation.
He underlined the need to remove prejudgments, and suspicions and reliance instead on common interests.
Brok concluded that Europeans believe that Palestine should be home and sanctuary for all religions. He said expansion of trade and commercial ties between Iran and Europe would serve as a first step towards promotion of mutual ties.
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