LUXEMBOURG – Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn expressed support for the Tehran Declaration signed between Iran, Turkey and Brazil on May 17.

Asselborn made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in Luxembourg City on Thursday.
Mottaki said the Tehran Declaration is aimed at building greater confidence about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities.
During a follow-up press conference, Luxembourg’s foreign minister reaffirmed his support for the Tehran Declaration, calling it a “positive step”.
According to the Tehran Declaration Iran would ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.
Iran-IAEA cooperation
During his meeting with Mottaki, Asselborn called for more cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Mottaki also highlighted Iran’s role in resolving regional crises particularly those in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and the Caucasus region.
In addition, the two sides discussed ways to expand political, economic and parliamentary cooperation.
20 percent enrichment
In the press conference, when Luxembourg’s foreign minister asked why Iran is still continuing uranium enrichment to 20 percent despite the issuance of the declaration, Mottaki said the declaration has not been implemented so far.
However, Mottaki insisted that nuclear enrichment for peaceful purposes is Iran’s alienable right and Tehran will never negotiate over this right.
Asselborn also said his country was concerned about the post-election incidents in Iran.
Mottaki answered that the opposition had the right to express objections but they were not entitled the right to set on fire buses and mosques or damage public property.
Human rights violations in Europe
Mottaki said Iran is also worried about the violation of human rights in Europe. For example, he said the rights of minorities, especially the Muslims, are violated in Europe.
The secret U.S. prisons in Europe are also a source of concern, the top diplomat stated.
In response to Luxembourg foreign minister’s remarks that Bahais’ rights are violated in Iran, he said no one is blamed for his beliefs in Iran.
Bahaism is an offence in Iran but no Bahai is punished for his beliefs, the minister said. However, he added that Bahais do not have the right to carry out espionage activities in Iran.
Elsewhere, Mottaki said, “We share commonalities, and (also) have disagreements; but our commonalities are more.”
He added Iran and Europe should capitalize more on the things that the sides share similar views