Italy hails Iran`s signing of nuclear protocol
IRNA
Rome, Dec 19, IRNA -- Italy`s Foreign Minister Franco Frattini here on Friday hailed Iran for signing of an agreement that allows snap visits of its nuclear sites, stressing that this has encouraged Rome to consider joint efforts to promote stability in the Middle East. Frattini told reporters that Italy welcomes Iran`s signing the protocol as a progress, stressing that Italy will use this progress to further promote mutual ties. "Italy is one of the key partners of the Islamic Republic in political, social and cultural areas," he said. "Considering this result (Iran`s signing the protocol), we are planning to take measures for the reinforcement of bilateral cooperation and a joint project to promote the stability of the Middle East." Ali-Akbar Salehi, Iran`s outgoing representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna on Thursday signed the NPT protocol. Salehi told reporters after signing the protocol at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna that the signing showed that the Islamic Republic is ready to let international inspectors scrutinize its nuclear program to show that Tehran is not developing nuclear arms. Frattini further stressed that Iran had taken a crucial step for the peaceful use of nuclear energy by signing the NPT protocol. Italy, that holds the current presidency of the European Union (EU), had in a statement earlier Friday termed Iran`s signature of the additional protocol as important, stressing that Rome was confident that Tehran would implement the protocol. Iran`s conclusion of the protocol has been so far widely praised by the international community with IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, EU external affairs chief Christopher Patten and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw welcoming the move. AA/211 End
