European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana conferred on Monday with Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi on expansion of cooperation between Iran and the EU, IRNA reported from Tehran.

photo: ISNA

Highlighting the practical steps taken by Iran since the issuance of the Tehran Declaration and the European Union's resolve to further broaden ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kharrazi said Tehran expects Europe to fully implement its commitments towards Iran.

According to the Information and Press Bureau of the foreign ministry, Kharrazi said through removal of existing obstacles "we can take strides for wider cooperation."

Iran calls for holding of mutual negotiations on the basis of mutual respect, positive and constructive move, Kharrazi said underlining the need to make a comprehensive plan on the two sides' mutual cooperation.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully determined and committed to continue its current cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he said adding that "We believe that it is our legitimate right to benefit from nuclear technology and we cannot ignore such an explicit right."

Solana, for his part, said the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Iran are economic partners and the EU calls for holding of negotiations and exchange of bilateral visits to help further deepen and bolster mutual ties.

The European Union considers the Islamic Republic of Iran as an significant and influential country in the region, he said adding that Europe attaches importance to regular exchange of views on regional developments between the two sides.

Iran and the European Union that shoulder mutual responsibilities and share common interests in the region can broaden mutual cooperation, he pointed out.

Welcoming cooperation between Iran and the IAEA, he said the both sides have experienced very constructive cooperation and that such a trend should continue, he said.

The two sides reviewed and discussed expansion of relations between Iran and European union.

They also dicussed the latest develoments in the region including those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Voicing Iran's readiness to cooperate in reconstruction of Iraq, Kharrazi called Iran's role in the reconstruction process as positive and constructive and said Tehran calls for an independent, unified and stable Iraq.

Welcoming restoration of stability in the war-shattered Afghanistan, he voiced Tehran's supports for the move and said the Islamic Republic of Iran pursues restoration of peace and security in Afghanistan. He calls for speeding up of reconstruction process in the country.

Kharrazi called on the European Union to play a more active role in reconstruction of Afghanistan as well as fight against drug trafficking in the country.

Solana says EU willing to expand ties with Iran: DPA

Berlin, Jan 12, IRNA -- European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana on Monday expressed the union's willingness to expand ties with Iran and praised its cooperation with the IAEA, DPA said.

"After talks with the leadership in Tehran.... Solana praised Iran's cooperation with IAEA," DPA said in its report. "The EU is ready to deepen its ties with Iran," Solana was cited as saying.

According to the report, the EU official hopes that the "cooperation will continue and lift all concerns related to Iran's nuclear program."

Solana on Monday met with Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi and President Mohammad Khatami in Tehran for talks on ways to expand political and economic ties.

Iran's nuclear program, human rights and the upcoming parliamentary elections were to be discussed, with Solana looking to "clarify anew the EU's conditions for expanding political relations and trade (ties)" with Iran, DPA reported earlier.

A possible strengthening of trade relations with the EU would mean an even greater and more lucrative target market for Iran once the union expands to 25 nations in May.