Iran will expand ties with member states of the European Union (EU) including France, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani said here Friday night.
| We just have a National Security Council. They've got a Supreme National Security Council... |
Talking to reporters upon his arrival from a three-day visit to France, Rowhani assessed Iranian government’s evaluation of bilateral issues and promotion of Iran-EU ties as positive. Iran and France discussed avenues to settle problems Iran, EU and France face in political, social, cultural and economic fields, Rowhani said, adding relations between the sides would receive a boost in the future. Asked about Iran-US ties, he said the American government has adopted no positive measure and the situation is just like as before.
| "Yeah, we tell 'em to piss off, give 'em the finger, that sort of thing. We expect the Euros to stop them from actually thumping us..." |
Pointing to regional issues, the SNSC secretary noted that the sides discussed future developments in Iraq, the Middle East and Palestine as well as security in the Persian Gulf. Iran and the European Union have reached agreements on Iran’s nuclear case. Iran has fulfilled its commitments and it is necessary for the EU to implement its promises, he added. "Iran has an appropriate cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and presented all required documents to the agency. We should wait for the IAEA’s report on Iran’s nuclear case (in February)," he said.
| "We filled out our paperwork, so that should put the problem on the back burner for the next few years. Hopefully, before it pops up again we'll have the bomb, so all we'll have to do is make faces and the Merkins will back off." |
Referring to arrest of some al-Qaeda members in Iran, the official said, "Iran has returned these figures, whose names are available at the United Nations, to their own countries."
"What countries?"
"Diff'rent countries." |
He pointed to his meeting with French President Jacques Chirac and the latter’s demand for a free and democratic election in Iran and said one of Iran’s glories after the victory of the Islamic Revolution is that people are on the top of all affairs and the Iranian nation are free to elect their representatives with full satisfaction.
"As long as the Fascists ayatollahs say it's okay, of course..." |
Rowhani further stated the French side called for adopting the model of signing the additional protocol to the NPT for other issues between Iran and the European Union. |