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Iran calls on EU to work for a WMD-free Middle East

IRNA

Brussels, Nov 17, IRNA -- Secretary of Iran`s Supreme National 
Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani Monday called on Europe to work
together to make the Middle East region free of weapons of mass 
destruction. 
"We called on Europe to work with us to turn the Middle East into 
a zone free from weapons of mass destruction," Rowhani told reporters 
after meeting with the foreign ministers of France Dominique de 
Villepin and UK Jack Straw and a top German official in Brussels 
Monday afternoon. 
Rowhani said his meeting with the three men was a `continuation of
the dialogue that we had in Iran`. 
Asked if Iran was concerned that its nuclear program could be 
referred to the UN Security Council by the IAEA, he said "There is no 
justification, no reason to refer Iran`s peaceful nuclear program to 
the UNSC. 
"Therefore we have no concerns," he added. 
"In all my meetings with the European side I have drawn the 
attention to the danger posed by Israel`s weapons of mass 
destruction," said Rowhani. 
EU foreign ministers are holding their regular monthly meeting in 
Brussels today. However, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer is 
not attending Monday`s meeting. 
Earlier, Rowhani met Javier Solana, EU high representative for 
Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Italian Foreign Minister 
Franco Frattini, whose country holds the current EU Presidency. 
"We had an excellent meeting with the foreign minister of Italy," 
Rowhani told reporters after the one-hour meeting. 
"We reviewed the relations between EU and Iran. We also discussed 
regional issues, Iraq and the potential for cooperation in Iraq," he 
said. 
The two sides also discussed Iran`s nuclear program and the 
agreement that Iran reached in Tehran. 
"Iran is committed to the agreement reached in Tehran and the 
European side also stressed on its commitment," added Rowhani. 
Iran agreed to sign the Additional Protocol to the NPT following 
the visit of the foreign ministers of Germany, France and the UK to 
Tehran on 21 October. 
He also held talks with Commissioner for External Relations Chris 
Patten and discussed EU-Iran relations. 
Speaking to reporters after the meeting he said Iran has reached 
an agreement with three EU foreign Ministers in Tehran and `our 
expectation is that they fulfill those obligations`. 
"Whatever I heard today till now from Mr. Patten, Mr. Solana the 
Italian foreign minister has been constructive and positive," he said.
Patten`s spokesperson Emma Udwin told IRNA that the two sides held
`very good, constructive and friendly talks`. 
"Iran understands our position very well on the nuclear issue. 
"There is real determination from both sides to move forward. Both 
sides desire deeper and stronger relations," she added. 
NK/AH/210 
End