TEHRAN -- Visiting Polish Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz on Sunday voiced his country's readiness to provide "whatever help" the Iraqi people needed, adding that Poland is determined to help the Iraqis form a democratic government.

"Poland is a friend of Iraq and is going there to prepare whatever is required for the establishment of a democratic government in that country at the earliest," Cimoszewicz told the Mehr News Agency.

Cimoszewicz said that Poland has decided to play a significant role in the reconstruction of Iraq, adding that Poland is committed to providing peace and security and to rebuild southern and central Iraq.

The Polish foreign minister added that even the most disastrous problems can be solved through understanding and dialogue, saying that he hoped that Iraq would be free of the blight of terrorism.

Cimoszewicz said that there is no good or bad terrorist in the world, adding that terrorist activities only target innocent people.

He said he was visiting the Islamic Republic to inform Iranian officials about Poland's programs during its mission in Iraq, stressing that the visit was particularly important in light of the great attention that Iraq's neighbors are paying to developments in the country.

Cimoszewicz said he had discussed the issue of Iraq in his meetings with President Mohammad Khatami, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani.

He stated that Iran and Poland have had very good mutual ties, which can help the two countries pave the way for boosting cooperation on Iraq. He said, "The Iraqi people have lived under an aggressive and dictatorial regime for many decades. That regime created many disastrous problems, not only for the Iraqis themselves, but also for neighboring countries. Now we have an opportunity to create a new Iraq in which justice and law rule."

The Polish foreign minister highlighted the right of the Iraqi people to enjoy law and order and the right of Iraq's neighbors to see a government in that country that is not pursuing aggressive policies.

Cimoszewicz said that Poland appreciated the efforts by certain regional states and Iraqi groups to determine the future of Iraq, stressing that Poland will try to help better push forward those efforts so that they bear fruit as soon as possible.

"We believe that Iraq is an independent country, and that the Iraqis have the right to determine their own future. We recognize their serious efforts to establish a representative and democratic government, and we certainly support their struggles to that end," he said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Cimoszewicz expressed pleasure over the expansion of Iran-Poland mutual ties, stressing that both countries have similar views with regard to the issue of dialogue among civilizations.

He also said that the ground has already been prepared for Iran and Poland to boost mutual economic cooperation, adding that Poland is eager to expand political relations and economic ties with the Islamic Republic.