“Iran is interested in cooperation with Belarus and is ready to develop interaction in all spheres,†Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Iran on a three-day visit Sunday to discuss boosting trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Popularity: 4% [?]
November 7, 2006Iran’s Presidential Advisor Mohammad Nahavandian said Iran-Russia cultural ties are important for establishment of peace and tranquility in the world, IRNA reported.
In a panel discussion on Iran-Russia cultural ties and its impact on Islamic world on Saturday, Nahavandian described the prospect of the bilateral ties ’good’ which should be used properly.
The panel discussion was held in the framework of International Conference of “Iran and Russia, Dialogue among Civilizations†under auspices of the Russian Presidential Office.
Stressing that three years have passed since the signing of cultural cooperation agreement between Iran and Russia, Nahavandian called for the evaluation of its outcome.
President’s advisor said the world situation is abnormal and full of tension adding, “In this situation, Iran-Russia relations can contribute to the peace in the world.â€
He went on to say Iran and Russia can cooperate in three national, regional and international levels for which mutual understanding and relations are necessary.
Nahavandian set forth proposals for expansion of cultural ties between the two countries including; doing joint research projects in the higher education institutes, exchanging university professors and students, holding cultural days in the scientific centers and displaying art and constructive movies in both countries television networks.
Iran’s embassy cultural attache in Russia Mehdi Eimanipour was another participants in the panel discussion who emphasized the necessity of bilateral cultural cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Referring to the beginning of the work of the Russian Strategic Viewpoints and the Islamic World Group, the Iranian cultural attache said, “Experienced experts are working in the group and are trying to find ways to solve existing problems and expand ties of Russia and Islamic world.â€
He said Russia’s intention to develop ties with the Islamic world has various internal and external reasons.
Internally, 20 mln Muslims living in Russia is an important factor and the weakening of the US and the west positions in the Islamic world, is a good opportunity for Russia to expand its presence among world Muslims, and in this concern Iran can be a good help to Russia.
Another speaker in the panel discussion was Iran’s Deputy of Culture and Islamic Guidance minister Mohammad Hadi Homayoun, who emphasized Iran’s increasing intention on dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Christianity.
He said, “By creating cultural studies courses and implementing joint research projects, the experts from Iran and Russia try to get acquainted more with both countries.â€
Professor Alexander Logonov from Russia State University criticized both Iran and Russian text books and said, “Information about Iran and Russia is not sufficient and even unfriendly which does not conform with existing relations.â€
He suggested that expertise groups of both countries cooperate in compiling text books.
The Russian professor also called for displaying of TV programs and movies about Muslims and Christians.
Sadeq Haqiqat, a professor from Mofid University in Qom, proposed exchanging university students and experts and holding cultural exhibitions to promote cultural cooperation.
Jahangir Dorri, a writer and a professor in Russian Military Academy also presented 3 proposals in this concern.
The proposals included, Considering information on Iran and Russia in their history text books, translating Iran’s contemporary novels in Asian and Africa Magazines and printing Russian and Persian literary books in both countries.
International conference titled “Iran, Russia, Dialogue among Civilizations†wrapped up its works Saturday after two-day discussions and exchange of views.
Popularity: 3% [?]
October 30, 2006International action over Tehran’s nuclear program must be in proportion to the real situation in Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said, the Reuters news agency reports.
“It is necessary to act on Iran but that action should be in direct proportion to what is really happening,†RIA Novosti news agency quoted Lavrov as saying on Wednesday.
“And what is really happening is what the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) reports to us. And the IAEA is not reporting to us about the presence there of a threat to peace and security,†the minister stressed.
French UN Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere told journalist earlier that the European powers were going to put forward a draft UN Security Council resolution during the course of this week.
According to the media reports, the resolution would impose limited sanctions, including bans on nuclear and missile cooperation.
Six countries — U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany offered Iran a package of economic incentives and political rewards in June 2006 if it agreed to consider a long-term moratorium on enrichment and commit to a freeze on uranium enrichment before talks to discuss details of their package, the Associated Press reported.
But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said his country would continue enrichment, and is not intimidated by the possibility of sanctions.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who has led talks on behalf of the six nations, said he spoke to top Iranian negotiation Ali Larijani on Monday but “the situation hasn’t changed,†and Iran continues to refuse to suspend its nuclear enrichment program.
“We have to see if we can overcome the situation that makes it impossible to start negotiations,†he said.
Solana’s negotiations with Tehran were seen as a final bid to avoid a full-blown confrontation between Iran and the U.N. after it ignored an Aug. 31 deadline to suspend enrichment or face punishment.
The United States has called for broad sanctions, such as a total ban on missile and nuclear technology sales, while the Russians and Chinese back prohibitions of selected items as a first step.
Popularity: 3% [?]
October 18, 2006
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