Iranian FM in Britain

Iranian Foreign Minsiter Kamal Kharazi is visitng the United Kingdom, becoming the first Iranian FM to visit the UK since the Iranian revolution. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook noted areas of common interest between the UK and Iran over Iraq and the drug trade, as well as mutual concern over terrorism.

Kharazi said, "I believe there are a lot of mutual interests between Iran and the United Kingdom to work together and to help each other, not only economically but politically, in regional matters, in international matters, in cultural affairs, in dialogue between Islam and Christianity, dialogue between the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the European Union that currently we are involved in, and two rounds of talks have been held. "

Asked about Iraq, Kharazi said, " believe that the people of Iraq have suffered a lot and sanctions have not been working. The question of the inspection of Iraqi development of mass destructive weapons, as the Security Council has decided, has to be respected. But the question is how successful the sanctions have been so far. I believe the victims of these sanctions have been the people of Iraq, so there should be another solution to this conflict."

Kharazi said his talks with British Prime Minster Tony Blair "covered different issues, political, economic, cultural issues, Islam and West relations. As well, we touched upon the differences which have been existing between Iran and the United Kingdom and the way that these can be corrected. We emphasised the need of a mutual plan by both sides in terms of the steps to be taken to build confidence between two nations. "