Iran, Italy Determined to Broaden Ties-- DINI CALLS FOR CONTINUATION OF TEHRAN-ROME DIALOGUE
March 2, 1998 - 0:0
TEHRAN Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi termed the visit to Tehran of his Italian counterpart, Lamberto Dini, as important saying that the time for criticizing one another is over and now is the time for cooperation. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart, Kharrazi termed as suitable the level of Tehran-Rome economic cooperation. On his talks with Dini, Kharrazi said key regional issues and relations between Iran and the European Union topped the agenda of the talks.
In the course of the talks, Iran voiced readiness to cooperate with European countries to settle regional and international problems, he said. The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that the visit to Tehran of Dini would further boost Tehran-Rome relations in political, economic and cultural fields. Dini said that his visit to Tehran is the first by a European minister after normalization of relations with Iran. He expressed content with continuation of Rome-Tehran dialogue and expressed the conviction that this will pave the way for dialogue between Iran and other European countries.
Dini, who arrived in Tehran Saturday evening on a 3-day official visit, described Iran as a great country with a paramount role in regional stability. Terming Tehran-Rome relations as very satisfactory, Dini said, Italy is Iran's major trade partner and that Rome is determined to further promote its cultural relations with Tehran. Asked about Rome's stance towards Mykonos case and relations with Tehran, Dini said neither Italy nor most European countries ever thought about rupturing diplomatic relations with Iran in the course of the Mykonos crisis.
They only temporarily summoned their ambassadors as a token of solidarity with Germany. The Italian foreign minister added that they tried to resolve the problem and restore normal diplomatic relations between the EU and Iran. We tried to act constructively and overcome problems. Kharrazi also replied that throughout the crisis, Italy made efforts to settle problems as soon as possible. Dini was always a forerunner and now Iran welcomes him, said Kharrazi. The Italian foreign minister pointed out that the critical dialogue was unsuccessful and that they are after open talks.
This is a joint decision by the EU and Iran, he pointed out adding, the EU favors direct contacts with Iran. Dini said that Tehran-Rome ties are developing and that Italy does not regard any limitations for its ties with Iran. He stressed that Rome respects Iran and the Islamic Republic system. Dialogue at political level should be encouraged, necessary support given to investment and problems relating to taxes and tariffs settled while conditions would be provided to help increase investment in the region, he said.
Kharrazi said that talks will be held with the Italian delegation on all issues of mutual interest and the two sides will benefit from consultations. Replying to a question on whether Iran's President Mohammad Khatami played a role in the EU decision on improvement of relations with Iran, Dini said the new direction the Iranian government has chosen in its relations with other countries is of fundamental importance.
The world community has been encouraged to promote relations with Iran, said the Italian foreign minister, maintaining that this new course can bring about very serious developments for Iran and for the preservation of the regional interests. Meanwhile, before leaving for Tehran the Italian foreign minister, in an special interview said that the objective of his visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran is to strengthen the current bilateral relations and to clearly demonstrate Italy's staunch support for restarting of a Iran's dialogue with international communities.
In answer to the question that what international and regional conditions had prompted EU to make an about turn and decide to normalize relations with Iran at the ministerial level?, Dini said that the presidential elections in Iran and the return of the European ambassadors to Tehran last November made EU to relinquish its decision of April 1997. The Italian foreign minister then added that Italy is at the forefront to help bring about closer relations between Iran and EU. The dialogue between Iran and EU should also definitely cover the issue of stability in `the Persian Gulf' and `the Central Asian region', stressed Dini. The Italian foreign minister stated that isolating Iran would be injurious to the stability of the Middle East. EU is not competing with the United States and that a normalization of relations between Tehran and Washington would contribute towards the Persian Gulf and Central Asian region stability.
He hoped strides would be taken in the direction of confidence building and constructive dialogues between Iran and the United States which could bear fruitful results. (IRNA)
In the course of the talks, Iran voiced readiness to cooperate with European countries to settle regional and international problems, he said. The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that the visit to Tehran of Dini would further boost Tehran-Rome relations in political, economic and cultural fields. Dini said that his visit to Tehran is the first by a European minister after normalization of relations with Iran. He expressed content with continuation of Rome-Tehran dialogue and expressed the conviction that this will pave the way for dialogue between Iran and other European countries.
Dini, who arrived in Tehran Saturday evening on a 3-day official visit, described Iran as a great country with a paramount role in regional stability. Terming Tehran-Rome relations as very satisfactory, Dini said, Italy is Iran's major trade partner and that Rome is determined to further promote its cultural relations with Tehran. Asked about Rome's stance towards Mykonos case and relations with Tehran, Dini said neither Italy nor most European countries ever thought about rupturing diplomatic relations with Iran in the course of the Mykonos crisis.
They only temporarily summoned their ambassadors as a token of solidarity with Germany. The Italian foreign minister added that they tried to resolve the problem and restore normal diplomatic relations between the EU and Iran. We tried to act constructively and overcome problems. Kharrazi also replied that throughout the crisis, Italy made efforts to settle problems as soon as possible. Dini was always a forerunner and now Iran welcomes him, said Kharrazi. The Italian foreign minister pointed out that the critical dialogue was unsuccessful and that they are after open talks.
This is a joint decision by the EU and Iran, he pointed out adding, the EU favors direct contacts with Iran. Dini said that Tehran-Rome ties are developing and that Italy does not regard any limitations for its ties with Iran. He stressed that Rome respects Iran and the Islamic Republic system. Dialogue at political level should be encouraged, necessary support given to investment and problems relating to taxes and tariffs settled while conditions would be provided to help increase investment in the region, he said.
Kharrazi said that talks will be held with the Italian delegation on all issues of mutual interest and the two sides will benefit from consultations. Replying to a question on whether Iran's President Mohammad Khatami played a role in the EU decision on improvement of relations with Iran, Dini said the new direction the Iranian government has chosen in its relations with other countries is of fundamental importance.
The world community has been encouraged to promote relations with Iran, said the Italian foreign minister, maintaining that this new course can bring about very serious developments for Iran and for the preservation of the regional interests. Meanwhile, before leaving for Tehran the Italian foreign minister, in an special interview said that the objective of his visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran is to strengthen the current bilateral relations and to clearly demonstrate Italy's staunch support for restarting of a Iran's dialogue with international communities.
In answer to the question that what international and regional conditions had prompted EU to make an about turn and decide to normalize relations with Iran at the ministerial level?, Dini said that the presidential elections in Iran and the return of the European ambassadors to Tehran last November made EU to relinquish its decision of April 1997. The Italian foreign minister then added that Italy is at the forefront to help bring about closer relations between Iran and EU. The dialogue between Iran and EU should also definitely cover the issue of stability in `the Persian Gulf' and `the Central Asian region', stressed Dini. The Italian foreign minister stated that isolating Iran would be injurious to the stability of the Middle East. EU is not competing with the United States and that a normalization of relations between Tehran and Washington would contribute towards the Persian Gulf and Central Asian region stability.
He hoped strides would be taken in the direction of confidence building and constructive dialogues between Iran and the United States which could bear fruitful results. (IRNA)