BRUSSELS -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi Tuesday stressed that EU-Iranian cooperation is not for the sake of economy and trade only, but equally for promoting peace and security.

''Cooperation between Iran and the EU will not be only in the interest of economy for both sides, but also for promotion of peace and security,'' Kharrazi told a press conference in Brussels Tuesday evening at the end of his 2-day visit.

He said the EU and Iran are to start comprehensive negotiations that would include trade and economic cooperation as well as the political dialogue in December .

''Both sides have the political will to continue these talks. This would be in the interest of both sides, Iran and the EU.'' Kharrazi noted that he had ''very good'' discussions in the last two days in Brussels with EU officials including Romano Prodi, Javier Solana.

He also met the speaker of the Belgian Parliament and the foreign ministers of Belgium and France, Louis Michel and Dominique de Villepin.

Kharrazi said he discussed with them relations between Iran and the EU, the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

''We were very satisfied with the talks over relations between EU and Iran.'' Kharrazi said he hoped war would now be avoided in the region after Iraq has accepted to grant unhindered access to UN weapons inspectors.

He said he was glad that the EU is now a partner in playing a role in the Middle East.

''Our expectation from the EU is to advise the Americans to be neutral in Palestinian affairs. Unfortunately, till now the Americans are on the side of Israel. They fully support Israel and this does not lead to any peaceful resolution of the Palestinian problem.'' Kharrazi left Brussels for Bonn on Wednesday and held talks with his German counterpart Joschka Fischer.

German Foreign Ministry Spokesman Walter Lindner told IRNA that both sides stressed the need to further boost bilateral ties in all areas.

"Both sides discussed the possibilities to continue the intensification of ties within the framework of an ongoing dialogue, notably through the exchange of parliamentary contacts," Lindner said.

Both ministers underlined that the dialogue of cultures should be a 'focal point' in strengthening bilateral ties, Lindner added.

Kharrazi departed Wednesday afternoon for Tehran, ending a three-day European visit.

Fischer invited Iranian Kharrazi to attend next month's one-day follow-up conference on peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, scheduled to take place on December 2 at the Petersberg Castle near Bonn.

"The (German) foreign minister extended the invitation to the Iranian foreign minister," Walter said.