Iran Calls For Quick Resolution of Caspian Sea Legal Status
He told visiting Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov's Special Envoy for Caspian Sea Affairs, Boris Shikhmuratov that the friendly and brotherly countries should find a solution to the legal status of this strategic sea by way of expert reviews.
Khatami said that Niyazov's proposals are effective in promotion of bilateral relations.
Shikhmuratov handed Khatami a message from Niyazov and reiterated that Iran and Turkmenistan have the same view on the legal status of the Caspian Sea.
Shikhmuratov who arrived here Monday is to hold talks with Iranian officials on Caspian Sea legal status and Afghanistan.
Before departing the Turkmen capital, Shikhmuratov told IRNA that he would hand over a message from Niyazov to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Khatami.
Meanwhile, the Russian special representative for Caspian Sea affairs, Viktor Kalyuzhny, is to visit Tehran on January 13.
Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are the five countries, which have common borders with the Caspian Sea.
Also, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and Boris Shikhmuratov, here on Wednesday called for an end to the war and bloodshed in Afghanistan and a joint use of Caspian Sea resources.
Referring to the identical views shared by both Iran and Turkmenistan regarding the Caspian Sea, Shikhmuratov said that Tehran-Ashkhabad cooperation on resources of the Caspian Sea could be a good model for other regional states.
An upcoming visit to Ashkhabad by President Mohammad Khatami will open a new chapter in the two countries' relations, he said, adding that an exchange of views between the two presidents will help in the determination of a legal regime to govern the sea.
Exchange of visits between the two countries' officials is an indication of their willingness to consolidate and expand friendly ties with each other, the Turkmen envoy said, adding that the construction of the "dam of friendship" at the two countries' joint border by Iranian contractors is proof of such close bilateral ties.
On the Afghan crisis, the two officials called for an end to genocide in that country and underlined the need for continued consultations aimed at ending the crisis.
Terming the upward trend in Tehran-Ashkhabad cooperation as fruitful, Kharrazi stressed that existing cooperation between the two countries will work to the benefit of all regional states.
He further expressed his satisfaction with the identical views on the Caspian Sea shared by Iran and Turkmenistan.
Meanwhile, Iran and Turkmenistan agreed here Tuesday to grind a halt to one-sided measures that may complicate the legal status of the Caspian Sea.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Euro-American Affairs Ali Ahani told Shikhmuratov that Iran and Turkmenistan has the same view on the legal status of the Caspian Sea.
Shikhmuratov who arrived here Monday is to hold talks with Iranian officials on Caspian Sea legal status and Afghanistan.
President Khatami received the UN special gift for initiating the idea of dialogue among civilizations, in the course of a ceremony held at Tehran's Sa'dabad Cultural Complex here Wednesday.
The president expressed hope that the start of the third millennium will mark an opening to a new era of human life wherein the entire world will benefit from a lasting peace, development and outcome of past achievements.
The UN resident coordinator Francesco Bastagli presented the gift, a clay image created by an Iranian artist, Ms. Leila Qassemi, depicting birds taking flight above sea cliffs as a representation of enduring unity.
The image was displayed at the Sa'dabad Cultural Complex for the public visit.
According to another report, in reply to a letter sent to him from one of his supporters on the reason for his hesitation to run in the forthcoming election, said on Wednesday, "What is important in my view is steadfastness towards aims and interests of the revolution and the noble Iranian people."
"As far as I can safeguard and defend values of the Islamic Revolution of the Iranian people and basic rights of every individual of people, I will do so in whatever capacity I may serve," said the president in his reply letter to Mohammad Hajizadeh, published in Aftab-e Yazd daily Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the new Kazakh Ambassador to Tehran Tulegen Zhukeyev presented his credentials to President Khatami here on Wednesday.
At the meeting President Khatami expressed Iran's willingness to promote the level of Tehran-Astana bilateral ties.
Iranian counterpart, the Ambassador underlined the profound bonds between the two nations, particularly in the arena of culture.