Iran Seeks To Develop All-Out Ties With Friendly Countries

IRAN SEEKS TO DEVELOP ALL-OUT TIES WITH FRIENDLY COUNTRIES

Fars News Agency
17:25 | 2007-11-06

POLITICAL

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Expansion of all-out relations with all the
neighboring and friendly countries sets the main policy of the Islamic
Republic, Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said.

Speaking to reporters before leaving Tehran for Yerevan, Armenia on
Tuesday, Najjar said that his three-day visit, which would take place
at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Mikayel Harutyunyan,
was aimed at the expansion of constructive cooperation between the
two countries.

He further stressed the need for the development of mutual ties in the
Caucasus region, and described regional cooperation as a significant
factor influencing expansion of peace and stability.

"Such cooperation can prevent manifestation of crushing conflicts in
tensed political and security areas," Najjar added.

Meantime, the minister underlined that Iran-Armenia relations do not
impose a threat to other countries, and mentioned that utilization
of policies which are base on confidence-building, understanding and
mutual respect, can result in good interests and achievements for
all countries.

He also underlined that the concept of regional and global security
runs counter to unilateralism and unilateral approaches, and added
that in case countries seek for their goals through joint and mutual
cooperation and interaction, then they will be provided with the
needed incentive for participating and cooperating in international
political issues, the result of which would be peace and stability.

Najjar also stated that intervention of alien troops in the Caucasus
runs counter to the national and joint interests of the regional
states, and stressed the necessity for regional countries to confront
such an intervention, which he described as a "countersecurity
phenomenon".

The Iranian defense minister, heading a high-ranking delegation,
left Tehran for Armenia this afternoon.

During the trip which takes place at the invitation of the Armenian
defense minister, the two sides are scheduled to discuss bilateral
ties and exchange views about regional and international issues.

The Iranian minister is also due to attend meetings with President
Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan during his sojourn
in Armenia.