IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SAFARI ON FUTURE IRAN-RUSSIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC NEWS AGENCY (IRNA)
June 28, 2006
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari said that cooperation between Iran and Russia in security, political and cultural fields are fruitful.
He made the remark in an interview with the Russian daily Gazeta, adding that the collaboration between the two countries in the Caucasus, Caspian Sea area and Central Asia are based on friendly relations.
Safari said that both countries give high priority to Iran's nuclear program and Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant project in their joint work.
"Though the project on Bushehr Power Plant is behind schedule, I am confident that it will be implemented by the end of 2006. In this case, we will appreciate Russia for defending Iran's inalienable rights," he added.
He said that Russia will also participate in two other 1,000-MW power plant projects, adding that in the long-run Iran intends to generate 20,000 MWs of electricity from nuclear energy.
"Access to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is our inalienable right and we are fully cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"Iran's nuclear installations have been inspected by the IAEA inspectors more than 2,000 times. We have pursued the policy of peace and stability in this respect and have high hopes that our diplomatic efforts will be fruitful," he added.
The deputy minister referred to the country's readiness to hold talks
on its nuclear issue and said, "However, the US has been taking measures
against our peaceful nuclear activities and intends to deprive us of our
rights."