Iran, Eu Review Expansion of Mutual Cooperation
The Tehran meeting is the second round of Iran-EU joint meeting which follows the first round of talks held in Brussels.
According to the Information and Press Bureau of the Foreign Ministry, both Patten and Adeli outlined their viewpoints on economic cooperation.
Expressing satisfaction with the achievements of the first round of joint meeting, held on December 12 in Brussels, Patten highlighted the agenda of the second joint session in Tehran.
Since some of the big powers are sensitive toward these talks, the European Union expects the agenda of the meeting which focuses on trade cooperation to proceed quickly in parallel with political negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Terming a trade agreement and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran as being 'flexible', he said any difference of opinion that may arise between the two sides is quite natural.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister, for his part, expressed satisfaction with presence of EU commissioner for external relations in the joint meeting and highlighted historical ties between Iran and Europe.
He also referred to recent economic reforms and ratification of the new investment law in Iran which has paved the way for attraction of European capitals.
The public opinion in Iran expects that a trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union would offer more trade opportunities and further open European markets to Iranian made products, Adeli said.
The Greek ambassador whose country now holds the rotating EU presidency was also present in the meeting.
According to another news Patten expressed hope on Wednesday that both Tehran and Washington would see a model in developing Iran-EU relations on how different societies could cooperate.
Patten who was replying to a question on the role EU could play in bringing closer the Tehran-Washington viewpoints added: "A great deal rides on our own relationship.
"But we have to make this work. If we do not make it work, there could be those in Iran and those in Washington who say -- see it is impossible to these bridges. Talking to IRNA, Patten stressed: "But I think it is possible to build the bridges."
The EU Commissioner for External Relations noted that Iran and EU should try to promote bilateral relations.
In response to a question on whether the independent countries could rely on EU in this unipolar world, he said they believed passionately in a multi-polar, multilateral world in international cooperation and in finding international solutions to problems. "Of course there are some countries which are more powerful than the others but even the most powerful countries in the world have to work with the international community in order to deal with the problems which represent the dark side of globalization."
He said that the European Union was the most extraordinary example of nation-states sharing sovereignty. "We have not lost our identity in the enterprise, the French are as French as they have always been and the British are as British. We have created an extraordinary degree of political and economic integration and we think this makes us in trade, economic and political spheres a good partner for other countries."
Patten arrived here Monday on a 3-day visit for the second round of negotiations between Iran and the European Union on mutual trade and cooperation agreement.
The EU commissioner held talks with President Mohammad Khatami, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, Head of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Majlis Speaker Mahdi Karrubi and the head of National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Majlis, Mohsen Mirdamadi.
His talks with Iranian official focussed on trade and cooperation agreement, Iraqi crisis, human rights and the Palestine plight.
He also paid a visit to the historical city of Isfahan on Tuesday. Pattern left Tehran for Ankara Wednesday.