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Putin expresses confidence in Iran`s peaceful nuclear program

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Moscow, Feb 18, IRNA -- Russian President Vladimir Putin here Friday 
expressed his confidence in Iran`s peaceful nuclear program, 
stressing Moscow will firmly continue its cooperation with Iran in 
technical and military fields. 
In a meeting with visiting Iranian Secretary of Supreme National 
Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani, Putin said recent measures 
adopted by Iran assured Moscow that Tehran does not intend to produce 
nuclear weapons. 
He reiterated that peaceful nuclear cooperation between the two 
countries would continue in the future and said, "Iran will 
definitely continue to meet its bilateral and international 
commitments." 
He assessed as positive Iran`s regional cooperation on 
Afghanistan, Tajikistan, the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea and called 
for further expansion of such cooperation. 
Putin noted that a twofold increase in the volume of trade 
exchanges between Iran and Russia in 2003 and its growth in 2004 
indicated consolidated mutual relations and said his country welcomed 
further promotion of bilateral cooperation with Iran particularly in 
Caspian Sea affairs and economic, political and technical fields. 
He said he would definitely pay a visit to Iran. 
Rowhani, for his part, expressed satisfaction over his visit to 
Russia and exchange of opinion with the country`s president for the 
second time this year and said expansion of mutual ties, regional 
and international cooperation with Russia is among priorities of 
Iran`s foreign policy. 
"We have no doubts bolstering relations between Iran and Russia 
under current regional and international circumstances will meet the 
two sides` interests and will be a factor for stability and security 
of the region," the SNSC secretary said. 
He pointed to Iran-Russia cooperation in peaceful nuclear issues 
and added, "We took major strides in this field. Although several 
(individuals) had doubts about the nature of our cooperation last 
year, there exists no doubt today that such cooperation is totally 
peaceful." 
Rowhani said the International Atomic Energy Agency and the 
Board of Governors confirmed Iran`s peaceful nuclear program, adding, 
"In line with our talks with the Europeans, we attach importance to 
Russia`s valuable role. 
"As the two countries` common stance and cooperation on 
Afghanistan, Tajikistan, the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea reached 
favorable outcomes, we hope Tehran-Moscow cooperation in other areas 
will meet the two sides` interests and be a factor for regional 
stability." 
After the meeting, Rowhani and Putin held private talks. 
The Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani 
arrived in Russia`s capital city of Moscow on Wednesday on a two-day 
official visit at the invitation of his Russian counterpart -- 
Secretary of the Russian Security Council Igor Ivanov. 
He held meetings with his Russian counterpart and Defense Minister
Sergei Ivanov on issues of mutual interests and Iran`s nuclear program
in particular. 
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