Interior Min.-Top Chinese Security Official Confer

Beijing, July 6, IRNA – Visiting Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar held talks with secretary of the Central Political and Law Commission Meng Jianzhu on the ways to reinforce mutual cooperation here Friday. During the visit, both sides said Iran and China could play a pivotal role in restoration of peace and tranquility in the region. Pointing out to Iran-China ancient ties, the Chinese official called for enhancement of mutual cooperation in all arenas. Citing Tehran-Beijing relations as ˈstrategic,ˈ Mohammad-Najjar called for betterment of mutual cooperation in tackling organized, extraterritorial crimes and extremism in the region. Prior to this, Mohammad-Najjar and Chinese Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun inked a security cooperation deal in Beijing on Thursday afternoon. Najjar said the deal can serve as a new base for cooperation between Iran, China and regional countries to help maintain stability and security of the region. He said that Iran and China have agreed to closely cooperate in fighting organized and extraterritorial crimes. Underlining the importance of anti-narcotics campaign and countering human and arms trafficking, he said the two countries are expected to form joint committees for implementation of the deal. Cooperation between both countriesˈ police in sharing information and experience is also envisioned in the deal, he said. He hoped that with expansion of security cooperation between Iran and China, terrorists would feel insecure. Mohammad-Najjar called Iran and China ˈstrategic partnersˈ, which enjoy extended relations in different areas such as economy, politics and culture. He said that Tehranˈs policy is to enhance ties with Beijing in the fields of energy, tourism and investment. The Chinese minister of public security, for his part, congratulated the Iranian minister on successful holding of June 14 presidential election in Iran in which over 72 percent of eligible Iranian voters participated to choose a new president. He described Mohammad-Najjarˈs visit to Beijing as a sign of close Iran-China ties. Mohammad-Najjar arrived in Beijing, heading a delegation, on a four-day official visit./end