Mirdamadi pointed to the October 21 four-party agreement between Iranand the three European countries (Germany, France and Britain) onnuclear technology cooperation and said that Iran reaffirms commitmentto the agreement and expects the European partners to do the same inpractice, IRNA reported.
“For the time being, the agenda of the four parties should focus onmaking the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD),”Mirdamadi said.
“Iran needs assurances that signing the additional protocol toNon-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) would not cause difficulties for itsnational program,” Mirdamadi said.
He said that the initiative taken by Tehran and the three European states formed a pattern to resolve other issues too.
“The European states’ partnership in Iran’s national program would helpbuild mutual confidence and pave the way for extensive cooperation invarious fields,” Mirdamadi said.
He expressed concern over situation in Iraq an Afghanistan and the U.S.military presence in the region and said that the democratic process inIran will thwart the U.S. threats.
Mirdamadi said that he was pleased with the enhanced level of parliamentary relations between Iran and Germany in all fields.
Erler expressed pleasure with the excellent relations between Tehranand Berlin and said that Berlin is interested in developing relationswith Iran.
He said that the European countries are keen to see the success of thefour-party initiative serving as a model for helping to resolve theinternational crises.
Erler accompanied by fellow MP Rolf Muetzenich arrives in Tehran in thecontext of the Iran-Germany parliamentary friendship group.
Erler and Muetzenich are both members of the foreign affairs committeeand the subcommittee for disarmament and arms control of German FederalAssembly. They had visited Iran ahead of the four-party Tehrandeclaration (October 21, 2003).
ETTELA’AT International, 03.12.2003
