Iranian Nation Favors Using Nuclear Energy For Peaceful Purposes: Official

Tehran, Feb 26, IRNA – Using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and continuation of talks between Iran and Group 5+1 is significant for the Iranian nation, said head of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Secretariat, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei. In a meeting with Swedish Deputy Foreign Minister Frank Belfrog, he referred to Iranˈs role and status in the region and the Islamic world and said that promoting commercial, scientific and cultural ties will pave the way for boosting of exchanges between the two nations. Describing Iran-Sweden cooperation as constructive, he further noted that Sweden plays an active role in the international community and Iran welcomes this. The Iranian nation attaches special importance to the Swedish nation, Mashaei said, noting that the two states have always had good cooperation in the course of history and there is no dark point in their bilateral ties. Underlining that recognition of Iranˈs peaceful use of nuclear energy is significant for the Iranian nation, he called for continuation of negotiations in an atmosphere of interaction. Nuclear weapons do not signify the power of a country, he said, noting that Iran does not believe in such arms and favors nuclear disarmament. Bellfrog, for his part, referred to Iranˈs active role in the region and said that the countryˈs presidency of NAM can help take effective measures in the region. Underlining the need to pay attention to Iranˈs nuclear right, he further noted that his country also favors nuclear disarmament. He hoped that all countries will cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the field./end