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Khatami: Iran entitled to peaceful use of nuclear energy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, May 28, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Khatami
President Mohammad Khatami said here Saturday that in view of the ongoing progress in the world today, Iran is also entitled to peaceful use of nuclear technology.

"Iran's activities in the field of nuclear energy are peaceful and free from any ambiguity," said Khatami in a meeting with Iran's ambassador and permanent envoy to the UN and its specialized agencies in Vienna Mohammad-Mehdi Akhundzadeh before the diplomat assumes his new assignment.

Khatami said Iran accepts talks with Europe as a principle and has thus far extended its utmost cooperation in that field.

He also referred to the important position of Iran as the energy hub of the region, including in oil, as well as membership in OPEC.

Akhundzadeh provided President Khatami with a brief account of his mission and on the key role of Iran in the international relations, the influential role of Iran in the UN development and its future structure.

Akhundzadeh had earlier served as director general of the Legal and International Affairs Department at Foreign Ministry and Iran's ambassador to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in a separate meeting President Khatami told Iran's ambassador-designate to Russia Gholam-Reza Ansari that Russia is one of Iran's most important neighbors and Tehran is interested in expansion of all-out relations with Moscow.

Khatami said the positive growth in Tehran-Moscow relations over the past years, saying cooperation in industrial and technological fields are the strong points for promotion of the two-way economic relations.

He said the ties serve as a very good base for regional and international cooperation.

Ansari for his part briefed Khatami on his upcoming mission and said proper atmosphere on the regional and international levels exist for further exchange of opinions on mutual interests.

Ansari previously served as director general of the East Asian and Oceania Affairs Department at Foreign Ministry and Iran's ambassador to London.

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::IRNA No.046 28/05/2005 17:50 --End