President Jacques Chirac here Wednesday evening referred to Tehran-Paris relations as 'excellent' and said Iran is a major partner of France in the region and is the cause of regional stability.
In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, he stressed that Paris is determined to promote bilateral ties with Tehran.
Expressing his concern over the critical situation in the war-torn Iraq, President Chirac said Tehran and Paris share identical views regarding the latest developments in Iraq.
France believes that Iran`s stands regarding Iraq is in line with interests of the world and regional states, he added.
For his part, Kharrazi voiced his satisfaction with the current level of bilateral cooperation between the two states and said great potentials in both countries have paved the way for further promotion of cooperation at both regional and international levels.
On crisis in the neighboring Iraq, he urged the occupying forces to urgently leave that country and to let Iraqi nation determine their own fate.
As to the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian lands, the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed his regret over violation of legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Referring to Iran`s close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he called for promotion of cooperation with the European states in making peaceful use of atomic energy technology.
Kharrazi arrived in Paris on Wednesday noon for talks with President Chirac and his counterpart Michel Barnier.
Meanwhile, Kharrazi is to stop over in London on Thursday to meet his british counterpart Jack Straw and also hold talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Iran`s agreement with the IAEA as well as regional and international developments, including the Iraqi crisis, are expected to be on the agenda.
IRAN - FRANCE DISCUSSED THEIR BILATERAL RELATIONS
Iran`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharrazi said in a meeting with his French counterpart Michel Barnier here on Wednesday, 'the 30% growth in Tehran-France transactions last year paves the way for broader bilateral political and cultural ties.
During the meeting the two Foreign Ministers exchanged viewpoints on most significant middle east and international developments and discussed the latest status of bilateral ties.
The two sides while expressing satisfaction over the improving trend of cooperation between the two countries, stressed on the need for more consultations on Iraq and Middle East crises.
Elaborating on the mistakes made by the Unite States in Iraq, Kharrazi said, `the Americans` insistence on pursuing their wrong policies in Iraq, based on full reliance on military power in solving the problems, has aggravated the crisis there.
The Iranian Foreign Minister added, `the only possible way out of the crisis in Iraq today is up to the United States, that should change its approach there and correct its mistakes.
He said, `the Americans` big mistake was their assumption that the Iraqi nation`s happiness and celebrations on the occasion of Saddam`s fall was also meant to welcome the occupiers.
Kharrazi also elaborated on Iran`s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), arguing, `the Iranian authorities have serious concerns regarding the european countries` abiding by their commitments on Iran.
He added, `we are concerned about the matter since otherwise the continuation of cooperation with iran would face difficulties.
Barnier, too, during the meeting while describing the Iranian Foreign Minister`s visit to France, `of great significance for Paris,` said, `France was opposed to launching a military attack against Iraq from scratch, and is now witness to the serious problems with which the United States is entangled with there.
He said that Iran`s role in the region is quite significant, adding, `Iran`s role, and its viewpoints will definitely play a decisive role in both problem solution, and the establishment of the future government in Iraq.
Touching on Iran`s cooperation with the IAEA, the french Foreign Minister said, `the transparent cooperation of Iran with the IAEA can eliminate all ambiguities and France hopes Iran`s case would be finalized at the IAEA as soon as possible, so that its status at the agency would be normalized.
He evaluated the IAEA Chief Elbaradei`s recent trip to Tehran as `quite successful and positive`, adding that the europeans will keep their promises towards Iran, `because we consider iran a trustworthy and good partner.`
KHARRAZI: IRAN-FRANCE TIES RISE SIGNIFICANTLY
Minister Kamal Kharrazi who is currently on a visit to France said here late Wednesday that ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and France have experienced a significant growth in recent years.
In an exclusive interview with IRNA, he said ample natural energy resources in Iran and the significant role of the country in restoration of peace and security in the region have made france to seriously consider expansion of ties with Iran.
Level of exchanges in economic and commercial sectors registered a 30 percent growth last year which prepares the grounds for expansionof political and cultural cooperation between the two sides, he said.
Our excellent position has persuaded the French people to consider us as their trading partner which we welcome,` he pointed out.
After 25 years of resistance and overcoming problems, `we are now well-known for having a stable country which influences all regional developments, he pointed out.
Iran`s strategic status and the role of country in restoration of peace and security in the region have pushed the world countries to attach importance to have ties with the country, he said.
On developments in Iraq, he said the us has committed many mistakes in Iraq in a way that they never assumed to face with such reaction from the Iraqi people, he underlined.
The americans are not able to establish democracy through militarymeans and the only solution to the problem is that they should rectifytheir wrong attitude, he said.
To put an end to Iraq`s crisis, the invaders should leave the country and let the Iraqi nation manage their own destiny, he concluded.