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FM: No precondition for talks with Europeans acceptable

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Jan 25, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Mottaki
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not accept any precondition for talks with Europeans.

Mottaki said in a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Noer Hassan Wirajuda that the talks should be held without any precondition.

He said nuclear research is an issue different from nuclear fuel production, therefore, it cannot be included in the category of activities subject to suspension.

"While announcing readiness and recommending the European friends to have a more careful and better understanding of present conditions, we say that we are conducting research for research itself and not for production of nuclear fuel," said Mottaki.

"Production of nuclear fuel is not our present issue and can be negotiated," he added.

The minister expressed hope that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its February meeting will have a proper and careful understanding of the conditions and of the principled stands of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will avoid taking wrong moves because such a practice may make conditions more difficult and more complicated.

"We hope that through collective decision of European friends -- with whom we have exchanged views over the past two weeks -- we will witness in Vienna the adoption of a proper decision and a logical and principled approach," said Mottaki.

Elsewhere in the press conference, Mottaki said the Islamic Republic of Iran will take part in the international seminar on Afghan reconstruction in London at the level of foreign minister.

He said that for Iran the issue of Afghanistan's reconstruction is of great importance. "Unfortunately, over the past five years certain countries, which had announced their readiness for reconstruction of Afghanistan, have not made necessary
contribution to this end."
He noted, "Helping the Afghan people reconstruct their country is an Islamic and humanitarian duty and for regional states it is a task which a neighbor can fulfill."
Referring to the assistance of the Iranian nation and government to the Afghan nation over the past 27 years including hosting of three million Afghan refugees, he said, "Despite enduring hefty costs, he Iranian nation and government tried to fulfill its neighborly, religious and humanitarian duty in that concern."
In the past five years, Iranian companies have made good contribution to Afghan projects, including the projects either financed by Iran or the international organizations, said Mottaki, adding that Afghan people have always been grateful to Iran in this connection.

He said the second conference on Afghanistan reconstruction in London -- the first one held in Bonn five years ago-- seeks planning for reconstruction of Afghanistan for a second five-year period.

The Islamic Republic of Iran will take part in the meeting at ministerial level to announce its stances and raise certain concerns over smuggling of drugs, he added.

The minister expressed hope that a clear-cut strategy would be drawn up for fighting drug trafficking.

He said the Islamic Republic of Iran calls for foreign troops pullout from both Iraq and Afghanistan.

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