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Posted on 01/22/2003 2:48:26 PM PST by knighthawk
BRUSSELS -- In a landmark speech in the European Parliament Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi called on Europe to support the Islamic Republic's reform process and its style of religious democracy.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is experiencing a style of democracy based on its religious beliefs and cultural traditions with deep respect for internationally recognized principles.
"Our success in this new experience is challenged by some extremist forces in the region who have depicted a violent and horrific picture of Islam," Kharrazi told the Foreign Relations Committee of the EP.
"Therefore, it is the common responsibility of all peace-loving and democratic countries to support Iran politically and economically to make its experience a success," he said. Kharrazi, the first Iranian foreign minister to address the European Parliament, said: "This is a process that needs to be appreciated and supported."
"The road to reform is not an easy one. We must be patient and realisitic. Any hasty decision would undermine the entire process," he warned.
The chairman of the committee, Elmar Brok, said he was pleased that Kharrazi was visiting the EP.
"We regard this as a continuation of our bilateral talks," he said, pointing to the visit of an EP delegation to Iran in July last year.
"We hope that by continuing this dialogue we can pave the way for a visit of your Parliament here in Brussels," said Brok, adding that it was important to continue dialogue not only on political questions but on cultural issues as well. Kharrazi told the jam-packed hall that he hoped today's meeting "will constitute another positive step in the special alliance and for a fruitful dialogue for our relations and better understanding."
"Despite the ups and downs and certain differences in political and cultural attitudes between EU and Iran, there always existed some common interests and similar views in a number of areas," he said.
He noted that positive developments took place last year in EU-Iran ties, pointing to the start of talks on a trade and cooperation agreement in Brussels in December.
"Iran and the EU are in a very good position politically and economically to lay the foundations of a solid and long-lasting partnership.
"Both sides have huge potentials to expand the existing bilateral cooperation. Iran is located in a very strategic important region and can play a prominent role in the maintenance of regional and international security," he said.
In its relations with the EU and EP, Iran has always taken into consideration "our shared values of freedom, human rights and international peace and stability," Kharrazi said.
He said Tehran appreciated the EU's pragmatic approach in promoting a constructive dialogue with Iran.
The ongoing economic reforms in Iran and introduction of new laws in protecting foreign direct investment have created ample opportunity for European investors.
Referring to social issues, Kharrazi said the state was doing its utmost to upgrade the status of women in Iran and to protect their rights.
He denounced terrorism in all its forms noting that Iran has been a victim of terrorism and has lost scores of top officials in terrorist acts. He said at a time when some were trying to propagate the ideal of a "clash of civilizations," Iran has called for a "dialogue among civilizations."
Kharrazi called on the EU to moblize its capabilities and resources against unilateralism.
He said Iran has always supported the Middle East region to be free of weapons of mass destruction and was committed to all conventions on the ban, production, proliferation and stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
Kharrazi also voiced regret that anti-Iran terrorist groups were moving freely in Europe at a time when the West is calling for a global cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
"I am sorry to say that the MKO and its cover-names like NCR, NCRI is freely moving in European countries. Terrorism is terrorism. We should not apply double standards and we should not be deceived by covered names of the same organization," Kharrazi told the European Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee in Brussels.
Replying to a question by an MEP on the activities of the terrorist MKO group, Kharrazi said the MKO has played a role of the guard for Saddam Hussein.
The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, Wednesday in an exclusive interview with IRNA spoke of positive developments in EU-Iran relations and said the EU could play a vital role in promoting understanding between the West and the Islamic world.
In response to a question on the significance of Kharrazi's speech in the Foreign Relations Committee earlier today on EU-Iran ties, Cox said, "I think it begins to breathe life to the discussions that have now been initiated between the EU and the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the development of a trade and cooperation agreement." "The developing engagement indicates on the part of the EU and on the part of the EP a willingness to try to encourage change when we see the possibility for change and this is the positive dynamic in that equation," the EP President told IRNA.
He said the role of Iran in the complex region because of the scale of Iran "is indispensable to wider politics and sustainability of peace in the region." In his meeting with Kharrazi Wednesday, Cox said he spoke about the positive developments in EU-Iran ties.
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Those damned Jews again. </SARCASM>
Lots of articles like that are coming out of Iran.
They fear a revolution, and fear us helping it :)
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