By NNN-IRNA
Rome : Head of Center for Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations Mohammad Khatami met with Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema to discuss wide ranging issues of mutual interest to both countries, and the Middle East as a whole, including Iran’s nuclear technology.
Following the meeting, he said: “All Iranian officials are agreed on using nuclear technology.”
He added, “Iranians will not ignore their inalienable right to use nuclear energy.”
Former president, who is in Rome to attend some cultural-religious meetings and visit with Vatican and Italian officials, criticized West’s policies against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and added, “US and Europe must know that threats and sanctions cannot force Iranians to ignore their right to have nuclear energy.”
He recommended the western states to negotiate with Iran instead of using threat.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema, for his part, underlined Iran’s crucial role in the region.
In the one and half an hour long meeting, D’Alema said, “International community expects Iran to use its excellent and key position in the region in a correct manner.”
He also appreciated Iran’s presence in Sharm el-Sheikh Conference and said Iran’s presence in the conference and sitting round a table with representatives of other world countries in Egypt was a hopeful point for the world community.
D’Alema noted that Iran as a powerful and effective country in the region can play an important role in solving Middle East problems.
Khatami also met with President of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union Ferdinando Kazinni here Saturday.
In the meeting, Kazinni, by referring to the important role of Iran in the region of Middle East, said, “International community needs Iran for creating and maintaining stability and tranquility in the region and this idea that the conflict in the ME can be solved without Iran’s presence is a wrong conception.”
He continued, “Iran’s role in solving regional problems, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Palestine is a key role.”