Rafsanjani: Government determined to resolve dispute over nuclear program

Tehran, May 6, IRNA – Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Monday that the government is determined to resolve the dispute with the western governments over the nuclear program. Rafsanjani made the remarks in a meeting with Italian delegation led by Co-Chairman of Iran-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group Ettore Rosato, Vincenzo Amendola and Gregorio Chieti. The new Iranian government adopted foreign policy in line with the demands of the people they voted in the presidential election, Rafsanjani said. Rafsanjani said that the government advocates interaction and cooperation with the world and is not an accident to witness the determination to resolve the dispute with the western governments over the national nuclerar program. Elaborating on the democratic atmosphere in the country, Rafsanjani said that all opponents are free to express their views and the government listen to all words and choose the best ones and this has been recommended by the Holy Quran. Relations between Iran and Italy are very deep which account for a burden on the shoulders of officials of the two countries to proceed, he said. During war between Iran and Iraq, Italy ignored to fulfill its pledges but during the reconstruction era, the Italian government exercised good cooperation in the field of industry and steel mills, he said. Asked by an Italian member of the parliamentary delegation about status of women, Rafsanjani commended the status of Iranian women as highly-educated. Responding to a question about prospect of the interim nuclear agreement with the western governments, Rafsanjani said, ˈWe are very optimistic about the future of nuclear talks and our relations with the world countries.ˈ On relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, it will be very easy for both sides to mend fences taking into account their commonalties as well as their experiences in resolving regional issues, Rafsanjani said. On current developments in northern Africa, he said hardliners deviated the peopleˈs revolution in those countries and the indignation of the people and political and social unrest led to return of militarism. Senator Rosato underlined deeply rooted relations between Iran and Italy and said the visit indicates improvement of relations between Iran and European Union. The Italian delegation called for expansion of Iran-Italy at highest level. end