ROME (IRNA) -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Larijani, held talks with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi on Monday. They discussed the nuclear issue, bilateral ties, and regional and international developments.

The Italian premier highlighted Iran's significant capabilities, describing it as a great country in the region with diverse natural resources.

Pointing to Iran's influence in the Middle East, Prodi called on Tehran to play a more active role in regional and international issues.

Underlining the need for the start-up of talks between Iran and the European Union, he expressed hope that the upcoming talks between the two parties would help resolve mutual concerns.

Larijani, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the new stances of the Italian government on recent developments in occupied Palestine and the country's timetable to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

Larijani was also scheduled to meet Italian Foreign Minister Massimo d'Alema on Monday to discuss the nuclear offer.

Italy has expressed its willingness to engage in the nuclear talks between Iran and the West.

Larijani is due to meet European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Brussels today to discus a package of nuclear proposals presented to Iran on June 6. Iran has already said that the package contains some ambiguities which should be cleared up. Larijani has said that he will discuss the ambiguities in his meeting with Solana today.

According to IRNA, Larijani was expected to arrive in Brussels Monday night. He is expected to meet Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt today.

Preconditions will harm nuclear talks

Setting preconditions and talking of regime change will harm Iran’s negotiations with the West, Larijani said in Bern on Sunday.

“Iran’s nuclear issue is not complicated. The U.S. propaganda has made it seem complicated,” he told the Swiss television network DRS.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly declared that it is opposed to nuclear weapons, but some countries are seeking to deprive Iran of its rights enshrined in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he added.

“Some European countries are selling Israel nuclear equipment while the Zionist regime is violently suppressing innocent people,” the top nuclear negotiator said.

Switzerland, as a neutral country, can use its potential to keep the diplomatic atmosphere sound and balanced in regard to the nuclear issue, the SNSC secretary noted.

He also called upon the Western powers to observe international law and to desist from applying double standards toward Iran.