“Brazil is interested in playing a role in settling Iran’s nuclear issue appropriately,” Amorim said during a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in Tehran on Tuesday.
“It has dragged on for seven years and we think it should be resolved in a peaceful way,” he added.
He also urged Iran and the major powers to finalize the deal on providing nuclear fuel for the Tehran research reactor.
“We hope this agreement will take place. This agreement is a major one and would build confidence between Iran and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), but like any other negotiation, there should be flexibility on all sides,” Amorim stated.
Talks between Iran and the major powers over Tehran’s proposal for a nuclear fuel swap stalled after Iran insisted that the fuel exchange must take place on its territory, a condition rejected by the major powers.
In an exclusive interview with IRNA, Amorim said Brazil may even consider conducting the fuel exchange on its territory.
“At this point in time, there is no proposal, but if we receive such a proposal, it could be examined,” Amorim said when asked whether Brazil might make such an offer.
“We are looking for a way to prevent sanctions against Iran because we think that sanctions are ineffective,” he told IRNA.
“The only thing sanctions bring about is that they hurt people, especially the lower class,” the Brazilian foreign minister added.
On Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s planned visit to Tehran, he stated that there has been no outside pressure on Brazil to cancel the visit.
Brazil makes decisions based on its own principles, Amorim said, adding that such pressure is ineffective.
The Brazilian president is scheduled to attend the next G15 summit, which will be held in Tehran next month.
The Group of 15, a group of 17 developing countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, was set up to foster cooperation and provide input for other international groups.
The G15 is comprised of Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
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MNA