London, Dec 19, IRNA -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Ahani on Thursday discussed promotion of ties between the UK and the Islamic Republic in a meeting with British parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee and some of its members in London.

The head of the Committee, Donald Anderson, reiterated the paramount importance of relations between the two countries, saying he planned to visit Tehran in the near future in order to become familiar with the latest developments in the Islamic Republic.

He also backed development of ties between the European Union and Iran in various fields. Ahani, for his part, welcomed the increase in the number of mutual contacts and meetings between the two countries' officials.

The contacts, he said, were key to better understanding and recognition of realities in Iran and its position in regard to regional and international issues.

Ahani outlined Iran's stance on various issues, including the Iraqi crisis and the necessity to avert a war in the region.

He also reiterated Iran's call for full implementation of international conventions on banning production and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Ahani expressed his support for a "Middle East without nuclear weapons" and referred to the advantages of joining the international conventions for peaceful intentions.

UK MPs reiterate support for EU's constructive policy towards Iran

"Common European Union policies have diverged from those of the United States in areas such as sustainable development (at the Johannesburg summit in September), the International Criminal Court and Iran," the all-party group of MPs said.

In its second report on the War Against Terrorism released Thursday, it backed the British government supporting the common in approach in these areas, but at the same time maintaining a policy more aligned to the US on Iraq despite large opposition in Europe.

"We conclude that Britain can work constructively with European Union partners of some areas of foreign policy - such as development, the ICC and Iran, while aligning itself more closely to the United States on policy towards Iraq," it said.

In June, the committee praised the British government for disagreeing with US President George W Bush's inclusion of Iran in his controversial 'axis of evil' speech.

"In our judgment, to bracket Iran with Iraq was a mistake," it said in its first report on the War Against Terrorism. "The government is right to maintain its constructive and - whenever necessary - critical engagement with Iran," it said.

The all-party group of MPs in a report on British-US relations last December commended the UK for continuing what it called a "bold" initiative to improve relations with Iran.

In its latest report, it recommended that Prime Minister Tony Blair's government "continue to judge each of its major partners' policies on their own merits" both in the war against terrorism and elsewhere."

"The experience of the past year has demonstrated the extent to which Britain can work with both the EU and the US, without damaging its relationship with either," the committee suggested.