DAR AL HARB - SPAIN: AL ANDALUS FAVORS STRONG TIES WITH TEHRAN

Madrid favors strong ties with Tehran - Spanish Parliament Speaker

Spain's Parliament Speaker defended here Wednesday Iran's peaceful nuclear program, announcing, "Madrid favors strong and lasting ties with Tehran."

Manuel Marin made the comment during a meeting with Islamic Republic of Iran's Ambassador to Madrid, Seyyed Davoud Salehi, adding, "That is the reason why the doors are always open for Spanish officials' negotiations with Iranians." Focusing on Iran's nuclear program, the Spanish official said, "Taking advantage of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and within the boundaries of international regulations is the natural right of every nation, including the peace loving Iranians." He said, "Particularly more so, since the Islamic Republic of Iran has unlike some nuclear powers, signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)." Elsewhere in his talks with the Iranian diplomat, Marin referred o the ongoing Middle East developments, particularly the wide scale bloodshed of civilians in Iraq, expressing his deep sorrow over the situation in that occupied Islamic land.

The Spanish Parliament Speaker expressed hope that the ground would soon be prepared for the withdrawal of the foreign occupiers from Iraq, and for the establishment of peace and stability in that war torn country.

He said, "We are sure the Iraqis are capable of ruling their own country, and we are very optimistic about the situation in post-occupation Iraq." Marin finally referred to the significant role played by the two countries in expansion and strengthening of bilateral ties, expressing hope that relying on broader relations between the Iranian and Spanish law making bodies Tehran-Madrid ties, too, would get stronger and broader.

IRI Ambassador Salehi, too, during the meeting offered a brief report on current level of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economic field, announcing Iran's will and readiness for expansion of comprehensive ties with Spain.

He said, "Presently there are lots of unused potentials for increasing investments in various fields in Iran, particularly in oil, gas, and petrochemical industries." Salehi also referred to the role and high status of the Parliament in Islamic Republic of Iran's political system, pointing out the need to take advantage of parliamentary ties in a bid to further strengthen the two nations, and governments' relations.

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Spain or should I say al Andalus has chosen sides, in the end they will be very big losers...


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1) Madrid favors strong ties with Tehran - Spanish Parliament Speaker