German FM reaffirms Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy

Munich, Feb 6, IRNA - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Saturday reiterated Iran's right to have peaceful nuclear program in his speech to the 46th Munich Security Conference.

"Iran has the entitled right to peaceful use of nuclear energy," the minister said.

He voiced hope that Iran could reach a nuclear fuel swap agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying it would be "a step towards establishing trust."

Westerwelle's remarks came only hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki expressed cautious optimism on reaching a nuclear fuel exchange agreement.

Taking part at the "night-owl debate" of the Munich security meeting
late Friday night with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Mottaki said, "The most important point is the political will. Personally, I feel this will is there."

"I personally believe that we have created a conducive ground for such an exchange in the not so distant future. We are approaching a final agreement that can be accepted by all parties," he added.

Mottaki outlined three main components of the nuclear fuel swap, namely timing, place and the quantity of fuel which Iran needs.

The Iranian official was scheduled to meet with the head of the IAEA
Yukiya Amano later on Saturday to discuss further details of the nuclear fuel exchange./end