Iranian Deputy FM meets EU Foreign Policy chief

Berlin, Jan 20, IRNA ?

Iran?s Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Mehdi Safari
discussed issues of mutual interest with the European Union (EU)
Foreign Policy chief Havier Solana in Brussels.

During the meeting on Monday, the two men reviewed such topics as
regional developments and the latest situations in Gaza, Afghanistan,
Caucasia and the Central Asia.
Safari condemned the Zionist regime?s barbaric assault against the
Gaza Strip which resulted in brutal massacre of hundreds of
defenseless Palestinians and called for immediate and complete
withdrawal of Zionist regime's troops from the territory.
He also stressed the urgent need for the re-opening of border
crossings into Gaza to facilitate the speedy delivery of aid to the
oppressed people trapped in the enclave and believed these measures
would help stabilize the ceasefire.
Elaborating on Iran?s humanitarian activities to render aid to Gaza
citizens, Safari further called for the collective measures by world
countries, especially the EU member states, to safeguard the rights of
the Palestinian nation.
He said necessary measures should be taken immediately for the Gaza
people to receive compensations for the losses they suffered by the
Zionist attacks.
Solana stressed the importance of collective efforts to bring about a
durable ceasefire and called for re-opening of the crossings into Gaza
and the implementation of the United Nations 1869 resolution.
He also voiced the EU readiness to monitor the full implementation of
the ceasefire.
Solana said the EU countries were keen to contribute to reconstruction
of the Gaza Strip.
The EU foreign policy chief further noted that improvement of
cooperation among countries would boost regional security.
Safari also had another meeting with the head of the European
Parliament?s external relations Sario Zolsky during which he pointed
to the potential fields of cooperation between Iran and the European
countries.
He also criticized western countries for failing to adopt vivid and
decisive stands to stop the Zionist attacks against Palestinians in
Gaza.
Zolsky called for continuation of interactions and exchanges between
the EP and the Iranian parliament and, pointing to Iran?s significant
role in promoting peace and tranquility in the region, called on
Iranian officials to use their influence to stabilize peace in the
region.

End