Eurasia Press & News
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that extremism supported by certain Western states is a dangerous threat to the region.
“The danger of extremism threatens all countries in the region,” Mottaki was quoted by press tv as saying in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, in Beijing Sunday.
He said that Afghanistan currently faces a critical situation, and urged regional countries to work together to fight the problems of extremism, narcotics and terrorism.
The Iranian minister said that interference by foreign forces would add a further complication to the regional situation.
Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang, stressed that regional issues should be resolved through cooperation between regional countries.
Yang also said that his country advocates the use of diplomatic channels and dialogue to settle outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
The West accuses Iran of trying to develop nuclear arms. Tehran, however, argues that its enrichment activities are aimed at electricity generation and further peaceful applications of nuclear technology. Under US pressure, however, the UN Security Council has intervened in the dispute and has so far imposed three rounds of sanctions against Iran.
The Iranian and Chinese ministers also discussed ways to expand relations into new fields. Tehran and Beijing have improved relations in recent years, with trade between the two countries valued at over $20 billion in 2007. Trade is expected to grow by a further 25 percent this year and surpass $25 billion.
