By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Foreign Ministry Spokesman in his briefing with reporters here Monday declared Iran’s stance on comprehensive direct Iran-US negotiations.
A reporter asked Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, “A group of US congressmen have called on US President George W. Bush to enter direct, comprehensive talks with Iran without any preconditions, because they believe new evaluation of US intelligence organizations and relative success in talks between Iran and USA on Iraq’s security have indicated that disputes between the two countries can be solved through diplomatic means.”
Hosseini answered, “The original letter proposing such a request for talks must not have been issued yet, since the US government has not confirmed its receipt and it has not taken any stand regarding it.”
He continued Iran’s stand on the matter is that,”We are always ready for talks without any preconditions, with mutual respect.” Hosseini noted that as IRI President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has several times reiterated, sticking to realism, abandoning unilateralist tendencies and avoiding aggressive approaches can help solve the international disputes more effectively.
Another reporter asked about the aims and results of the recent visit of the Indian Foreign Secretary to Iran.
The spokesman answered, “Shivshankar Menon attended the 5th round of strategic talks between Iran-India.
He added, “During his 3-day visit to Iran he met with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, deputy FM Mehdi Safari, Secretary of SNSC Sa’eid Jalili, Minister of Economy Danesh Jaafari, Minister of Oil Nozari and head of Majlis commission for Foreign Policy and National Security Ala’eddin Boroujerdi.”
Another question was on the aims and results of Turkish deputy Foreign Minister’s visit to Iran.
Hosseini said Onal Couyek Ouz arrived in Tehran on December 17 upon an invitation extended by Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari.
The aim of the visit was to recognize new capacities in mutual ties and consultations on political issues of the region and in that regard he had a meeting with his Iranian counterpart as well as one with Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Attar here in Tehran.
Hosseini continued, “One of the interesting points for the Turkish senior diplomat’s visit was Ankara’s will to get acquainted with Tehran’s viewpoints on the latest developments in the region, especially those in the Commonwealth of Independent States.”
He added Iran’s political and economic position in the region and Tehran’s role in promoting regional cooperation were among the issues underlined in negotiations with Turkish side.