Former French PM holds talks in Tehran

TEHRAN, May 13 (MNA) – Former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard said that the European countries should appreciate the Islamic Republic’s position in the world. Rocard, who is one of the comrades of French President-elect Francois Hollande, made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Tehran on Saturday. He expressed satisfaction with his trip to Iran and said that he hopes to see the current disputes over Iran’s nuclear program will be settled through creating an atmosphere of mutual trust in line with efforts to promote peace and stability in the region and the world. Rocard, who is a member of the Socialist Party, served as Prime Minister under Francois Mitterrand from 1988 to 1991. He is currently a member of the European Parliament, and has been strongly involved in European policies. During the meeting, Salehi commented on the Islamic Republic’s determination to consolidate relations with other countries on the basis of mutual respect. He said that the expansion of relations between Iran and European countries, including France, will be of great benefit to both sides. Salehi also extended congratulations on Hollande’s victory in the recent French Presidential elections and expressed hope that Tehran and Paris would cement the ties in all spheres through adopting a new approach. Commenting on the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany), which is scheduled to be held in Baghdad on May 23, Salehi expressed hope that the meeting would yield good results.