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Brussels, Nov 20, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Kamal Kharrazi Tuesday stressed that EU-Iranian cooperation is not for the sake of economy and trade only, but equally for promoting peace and security.
'Cooperation between Iran and the EU will not be only in the interest of economy for both sides, but also for promotion of peace and security,'' Kharrazi told a press conference in Brussels Tuesday evening at the end of his 2-day visit.
He said the EU and Iran are to start comprehensive negotiations that would include trade and economic cooperation as well as the political dialogue in December .
''Both sides have the political will to continue these talks. This would be in the interest of both sides, Iran and the EU.''
Kharrazi noted that he had ''very good'' discussions in the last two days in Brussels with EU officials including Romano Prodi, Javier Solana and he would be meeting Chris Patten later Tuesday evening.
He also met the speaker of the Belgian parliament and the Foreign Ministers of Belgium and France, Louis Michel and Dominique de Villepin.
Kharrazi said he discussed with them relations between Iran and the EU, the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
''We were very satisfied with the talks over relations between EU and Iran.''
Kharrazi said he hoped war would now be avoided in the region after Iraq has accepted to grant unhindered access to UN weapons inspectors.
He said he was glad that the EU is now a partner in playing a role in the Middle East.
''Our expectation from the EU is to advise the Americans to be neutral in Palestinian affairs. Unfortunately, till now the Americans are on the side of Israel. They fully support Israel and this does not lead to any peaceful resolution of the Palestinian problem.''
In reply to a question on the Aghajari case, Kharrazi said there was understanding in the EU about the judicial system in the Islamic Republic. ''They understand that the judicial system is a separate power in Iran.''
He explained that the death verdict against Aghajari was passed by a lower court and the case has to go through other levels of the court including the appeals court and the supreme court.
He said the condemnation of this sentence by students, professors and many officials including the President in Iran proves that ''the Iranian system is a unique one''.
''People feel free to express themselves and it portrays a balanced system.''
He also noted that the leader of the Islamic Republic intervened and ordered a revision of this sentence.
''I explained this process to the European officials, and it seems that it is quite understandable for them,'' he said.
In reply to a question on calls by the EU for the abolishing of the death sentence, Kharrazi said the death sentence is in accordance with the Islamic law.
He noted that many other countries including the US have death sentences and it depends on what law system they observe.
''This is not a demand from the EU that death penalty be abolished in Iran. Of course this is their advice'' he added.
Kharrazi said his meeting with the French foreign minister was very useful. The talks covered bilateral issues, situation in Iraq and the Middle East.
Kharrazi said that France played a very important role on the issue of Iraq in the UN and he hoped that Paris will continue its role so as to avoid any unilateral action by the US against Iraq.
Dominique de Villepin was in Brussels to take part in a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
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