President Khatami said at the said meeting that Iran and greece have lots of shared historical and cultural commonalites and expressed delight over being present at the cradle of the ancient Greek culture.

He said that Iran and Greece have lots of unused potentials and capabilities, which need to be utilized in order to expand the two countries' ties to a desirable level.

The Iranian president evaluated the two countries' economic ties, particularly in oil industry, as positive and constructive, while expressing hope that the two countries will also reach satisfactory results in making joint investments.

President Khatami said cooperation between Iran and Greece in various fields hs proved benefitial for all countries in the region.

Highlighting the significance of holding meaningful dialogues among civilizations, the Iranian president said: "the four ancient civilizations of Iran, Greece and Egypt and Italy must present an ideal pattern for holding meaningful dialogues amid an atmosphere of mutual respect, aimed at prevalence o respect for the other nations and for the whole mankind.

The president emphasized: "today, the mankind is thirsty for prevalence of justice, peace and stability at global level and seeks peaceful coexistence among all nations.

Elaborating on Iran's relations with the European Union, Khatami described such ties as "positive," saying: "Tehran government's policies are based on the rules of detente and expansion of ties with all countries in the world, particularly the EU, based on mutual respect."

The Iranian political leader also elaborated on Iran's stands on terrorism and the need to fight against it collectively at international level, saying: "the Middle East region is dire need of peace, based on the rules of Justice, and the only way to assure a lasting peace in the Middle East, will be guaranteeing realization of the right of return for all Palestinians, as well as all other natural rights, including the establishment of fully independent, sovreign Palestinian country."

Turning to the ancient history of the two countries' ties and the rich cultural inheritance of both countries, he said: "the ground is quite appropriate now for mutual cooperation in archaeology, university students and professors exchange programs, and other types of scientific cooperation.

During the meeting in which the ministers of foreign affairs and economy of the two countries were present, the Greek minister of development presented a brief history on the two countries' economic cooperation,

Greek President Konstantindos Kostis Stephanopoulos, too, during the meeting expressed delight over the presence of his Iranian counterpart in Athens and announced his country's readiness to expand ties with Iran in all possible fields, particularly in cultural activities.

Referring to his constructive talks with President Khatami in Tehran iN which a few Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between the tow countries, the Greek president asked for full Implementation of the articles of the articles of the said MOUs.

President Stephanopoulos meanwhile asked for broader economic and technical cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of energy and liquified natural gas (LNG) transfer to Europe.

The Greek president evaluated Iran's relations with the EU as Positive and still developing, promising that as an EU member, Greek will try to further improve such ties.

Iran welcomes expanding ties with EU, says Khatami

Speaking at a banquet held in his honor by the Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, he described Greece's standing in the European Union as significant, and said Tehran and Athens could cooperate in reinforcing peace and stability at the regional and global levels.

Khatami pointed to developments in the Middle East, and said the massacre of Palestinians and extension of Zionists' atrocities to other parts of the occupied territories would trigger international conflicts.

He stressed that Greece and the European Union can take effective steps to help the Palestinians regain their legitimate rights, and stressed EU's contribution to solving the regional and international conflicts.

President Khatami said Iran and Greece, based on their historical bonds, can open new horizons for their mutual cooperation in new strategic areas, and said common elements between the two nations could expedite such cooperation.

He expressed regret that international community is currently entangled in dilemmas that have been shaped outside of the scope of human-to-human dialogue.

"Violence in the name of religion, domination in the name of civilization and tyranny in the name of expedience are manifestations of cultural backwardness and political self-centerdness that have fomented such dilemmas," he said.

Khatami described dialogue among civilizations as the most appropriate approach of globalization of democracy and said any stress on such dialogue manifested that cultural principles take precedence over dictated preferences and principles.

The Iranian president stressed that today's world must become a world of hope, confidence and life, and said in such world, men could learn from conflicts, and join hands to root out their sufferings.

President Stephanopoulos, for his part, voiced Athens' interest in boosting relations with Tehran in all areas, and recalled Greek efforts to broaden EU ties with Iran.

He stressed Iran's positive role in fighting terrorism at a global level, and appreciated Iran's efforts to rebuild the war-shattered Afghanistan in order to secure regional stability.

President Stephanopoulos voiced Greece's support for President Khatami's civilizational dialogue, and said such dialogue could be a response to the need of today's world for understanding and mutual cooperation.

He further echoed Greek support for an independent Palestinian state, and stressed the Palestinians' right to enjoy a peaceful, honorable and equal life.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Greek president voiced concern over the anticipated US attacks on Iraq, and said any military action against Baghdad would have negative consequences for the political and economic stability of the Middle East.

President Khatami arrived in Athens from Vienna on Wednesday amid tight security for a three-day official visit for talks on ways to boost mutual cooperation.

Daily comments on Khatami's Vienna visit, Europe ties

Although there have been manifold occasions wherein Europeans disagreed with their American partners on how to handle international issues, the daily noted, they have often set the disputes aside and helped the US with its expansionist policies.

According to the daily, the Afghan conflict serves a good example. During the initial stages of the military campaign in Afghanistan -- to topple the Taliban regime and flush out the mastermind of attacks on the US -- the French government declared that it would have no part in President Bush's war.

At times, the daily noted, French leaders were even critical of Bush's warlike policies. Nevertheless, soon came a time when French war planes flew with American bombers to shell Taliban and al-Qaeda strongholds. At the same time, French troops infiltrated the Afghan soil to back American soldiers on the ground.

The daily added, "Europeans have as well expressed opposition to Bush's support for Israeli atrocities against Palestinians and responded positively to Iran's call for expansion of bilateral cooperation to highest levels."

Europeans have tried to maintain their political independence in dealing with Tehran.

"Khatami's visits to European capitals since he took office in 1997 show that the president is fully aware of the gap between American and European positions on several issues including Iran, and is trying to exploit it to the best of our national interests," the daily observed.

The daily concluded, "All we expect from our European partners is to open their eyes to the realities and remain unimpressed by US provocations."

... Payvand News - 3/14/02 ... --