Tehran, Athens to Cooperate on Export of Iranian Gas to Europe
Khatami, who was in the Greek capital only recently, stressed the advantage of regional cooperation in the transfer of energy, and said the Islamic Republic of Iran would welcome the expansion of technical, economic, and academic ties with Greece.
Khatami also praised Greek positions on international issues, and said Iran is determined to expand its relations with the European Union on the basis of mutual respect and common interest.
The president said Iran follows détente policy in its relations with all the countries in the world and it wishes an international peace based on justice with the cooperation of all countries.
Pointing to the U.S. policymakers' stance in the world, Khatami said Iran doesn't want tensions with Washington but Iran believes that the U.S. unilateralist policies in adopting the language of force against the nations and its support for suppressive and terrorist activities would push the U.S. administration to the sidelines.
He said the U.S. warmongering policymakers should bear it in their mind that so long as the U.S. officials use the language of force the Iranian people will be get more united for defending the national interests and the U.S. should never expect that the Iranian nation and government to submit to its threats.
While noting that the European Union policy toward the Palestinian cause is more logical than that of the U.S. President Khatami called for the more involvement of the EU for settling the Middle East crisis.
In this meeting which was attended by the Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh the Greek Development Minister Tzochatzopulos said the arrangement for institutionalizing and implementing the agreement between Athens and Tehran will be put into force during the Greek president's travel to Tehran.
The Greek minister also expressed his country's readiness for transferring the Iranian gas to Europe through the euroasia network and said the EU would back the plan.
He also said regional cooperation such as the transferring of Iran's gas to Europe will help international peace and stability.
The Greek minister also met with the Iranian Industries and Mines Minister Is'haq Jahangiri and stressed for the expansion of economic ties between the two countries.
The Greek minister referred to the history of economic ties between the two countries and said there are good opportunities for increasing cooperation between the two countries.
In this meeting the Iranian Industries Minister Is'haq Jahangiri said in the recent years the Iranian Parliament has approved very good laws about tax rules with regard to foreign investment.
On his part the Iranian minister said the naval industries and shipbuilding are among top priorities for developing mutual ties, Jahangiri stressed.
On the manufacture of cars and spare parts the Iranian minister said the two countries can endeavor to work on many projects. He said the Greek side expressed its readiness in the construction of spare parts as well as ship building and naval industries.
The Greek Development Minister also said the two states can cooperate with each other in the areas pharmaceutical industries pesticide and clothing.
In this meeting Jahangiri said the Iranian companies are ready to implement projects in Greece and Tzochatzopulos also announced two giant Greek companies are ready to do projects in Iran.