Iran Ready To Cooperate With IAEA On Bushehr Power Plant Safety Standards

Tehran, May 15, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said Iran is ready to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the safety of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. During his weekly press conference here on Tuesday, he said Iran will cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog within the framework of its missions and the international protocols. As for the safety standards of the Bushehr power plant, he noted, Iran is ready for a full-scale cooperation based on international regulations. Referring to a recent strong earthquake in Bushehr province, he said the tremor was a good safety test for the power plant which proved Iran abides by all international standards in constructing the plant. On the four-party meeting on Syria comprising Iran, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the spokesman underscored the importance of settlement of the ongoing crisis in Syria. He said Egypt’s suggestion on revival of the four-party committee is welcome by Iran. He also voiced Tehran’s readiness to help advance the objectives of the committee. Araqchi also commented on the illegal entrance into Iran of a number of Afghan citizens in past days. Pointing to the very close relations and various commonalities between the two countries, he regretted that Afghanistan has occasionally been the source of some concern for Iran. Pointing out that Iran hosted millions of Afghan immigrants during years of war and occupation, the spokesman said Iran is presently coping with the illegal entrance of Afghan workers, too. Saying that Iran has always been friendly with the Afghan nation, he said Tehran is determined to exercise firm control on its borders to stop terrorists and drug traffickers from entering its territory./end