Publish Date: 1 November 2004 - 22:48

TEHRAN, Nov. 1 (MNA) -– Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said on Sunday that the regional countries can help secure the region through cooperation, a press release by the press department of the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

“No country can feel that it needs no consultations with other regional countries (for the purpose),” Kharrazi said as he met the Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Caliph al Thani in the capital Doha.

 

As a stable country in the region which has never invaded any country and has always been seeking peace Iran deems itself responsible toward regional developments.

 

On his assessment of the developments in Iraq the Iranian top diplomat said holding election in Iraq on the scheduled time would be a great step toward the establishment of security and a final departure of foreign military forces from the country.

 

Kharrazi also delivered a message from President Mohammad Khatami to the Qatari emir.

 

The minister also called increasing consultations among countries on the recent developments in the region especially in Iraq as important.

 

Touching on the significance of developing economic cooperation between the regional countries he proposed that the Western Asia can take steps toward the formation of a great regional economic block.

 

In another part of his remarks Kharrazi elaborated on Iran’s nuclear activities. He noted that Iran has legal right to use nuclear technology for civilian purposes no one can deprive Iran from this right.

 

For his part, the Qatari emir referred to the significant role of Iran in fostering peace and security in the region and called for the development of all-out relations between Iran and Qatar.

 

Sheikh Hammed also pointed to the current developments in the region and said that constant consultations are necessary for the safeguarding of regional interests.

 

Kharrazi also met his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Hammed Bin Jasem Al Thani, and the two officials discussed bilateral relations as well as the latest developments in Iraq and Middle East.

 

Before leaving Qatar Kharrazi told reporters that he held useful negotiations with the Qatari officials on regional developments and that more consultations should be done.

 

On Iran’s nuclear activities he said Iran believes that all neighboring and friendly countries should be informed of the nature of Tehran’s nuclear activities, adding that he had informed Qatari emir of all the details in this regard.

 

Asked about the recent ratification of the Majlis which calls on the government to seek a complete access to nuclear technology, Kharrazi said that Majlis enjoys a great power in Iranian political system and the ratification of this bill shows that achieving nuclear power is an undeniable right and the national honor of the Iranians.

 

He concluded that Iran expects the European countries, i.e. Britain, Germany, and France to offer applicable, defined and timed commitments.

 

 

SA/MS

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MNA