Larijani: Iranians Image Of Europe, Positive

Tehran, Oct 21, IRNA – Iranian Parliament Speaker said here Sunday that Iran and Europe have had good economic ties as of old times and the image of Europe in the mind of the Iranians is relatively positive. Ali Larijani made the comment in a meeting with the visiting Head of Socialist Fraction of European Parliament (EP) Hannes Swoboda. He added, “The business and economic relations between Iran and EU would have mutual interests for the peoples on both sides of that equation.” The Iranian parliament speaker referred to the issues of mutual interest, including campaign against terrorism, narcotic drugs trafficking, and the nuclear issue, as fields of mutual interest, saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for cooperation in entire fields that both sides can imagine. He reiterated that Iran has paid dearly in blood and wealth in campaign against narcotic drugs trafficking from Afghanistan to Europe. The Iranian parliament speaker also referred to the Syrian crisis, saying, “Although we believe grass root democracy needs to be established in Syria, we also definitely and logically believe that by exporting terrorism, arms and munitions by foreign powers neither democracy, nor peace and stability can be established in that country.” He added, “Terrorism is condemned everywhere in the world and in all types and forms, and the reason why the camping against terrorism faced defeat in some regions, like in Afghanistan, was that the vast-scale phenomenon was dealt with tactically, but not basically and at roots’ level.” The head of Socialist Fraction of European Parliament (EP), too emphasized for his part that reaching agreement with Iran is of great importance for the EU and that Iran is an influential and powerful regional player. Hannes Swoboda said that reaching agreement with Iran and returning to the past status of Iran’s relations with the European Union countries is of significant importance for the EU. “If that will come true, we can hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran would emerge as one of the influential partners of Europe in such sensitive and important fields as campaign against narcotics, fight against terrorism, and commercial and economic transactions,” said Swoboda. He said that Europe and Iran have shared interests in many fields and differences of viewpoints in some areas, while keeping in mind the shared concerns and interests, sustainable relations is predictable. The head of the Socialists Fraction of the European Parliament said that there were lots of opportunities for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue in the past, but today, too, if both sides would grasp the newly emerged opportunity and aim for reaching a final agreement in near future, they can once again turn into reliable partners of each other. IRAN’S ACTIVE PRESENCE AT GENEVA II CONFERENCE NECESSARY Regarding Syria, too, he said that Iran’s role in solving the Syrian crisis is important. He added, “As an influential and powerful regional country, Iran must have a dynamic and dominant presence in Geneva II Conference aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis.” Swoboda also stressed that the EP is seriously opposed to foreign and military intervention in Syria and is agreed with Iran on the point that solving the crisis there is possible only through political and diplomatic talks and participation of the Syrian people of all walks of life in the political processes of their country.” The European parliamentarian at the end once again asked for ever more participation of Iran in issues of mutual interest at regional and international levels./end