Iran Not To Close Any Of Its Nuclear Facilities

Tehran, Feb 10, IRNA - Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe and American Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi said here on Monday that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not shut down any of its atomic facilities. He made the remarks in a meeting with EU ambassadors to Tehran. He reiterated that Iran enjoys inalienable right to continue uranium enrichment activities. Senior member of Iranˈs nuclear negotiating team stressed that Iran mulls expansion of cordial relations with EU based on mutual respect, equality and non-interference in internal affairs of each other. Tehran believes that such relations would benefit both sides, he added. Despite differences in views, Iran and EU can discuss major regional and international developments including crises in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and fighting terrorism and drug smuggle, the Iranian official noted. He further stressed that the two can also cooperate in the areas of environment, culture, higher education, energy and transit in future. The Geneva agreement and the joint action plan has paved the way for fostering economic cooperation with Europe in the fields of export of petrochemicals as well as import of foodstuff, medicine and medical products, he said. As to the prospect of nuclear talks, he said Vienna will host the next week nuclear talks. Tehran is determined to act as it did in previous rounds and handle the talks seriously and with good faith, he said, hoping that the West would prove good will too. Pointing to critical situation in Syria, Takht-Ravanchi voiced Tehranˈs readiness to dispatch humanitarian aid to the Syrian people. He denounced the performance of Washington and the United Nations in holding the Geneva II Conference on Syria./end