In a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, the Iranian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs signed a joint statement on mutual cooperation and expressed Iran’s desire to expand ties and cooperation with Iraq. He emphasised the importance of bilateral cooperation in stabilisation of the region and consolidating historical ties between the two countries.1
Reports noted that Iran is considering the creation of a regional economic union along the lines of the European Union to counter the challenges of peace and security in the region and also to increase interaction between regional countries.2
According to reports, the Brazilian ambassador to Tehran has said that his country fully acknowledges the right of countries, including Iran, to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He stressed that issues relating to Iran’s nuclear programme must be addressed through negotiations and dialogue, possibly during the next round of Iran and the 5+1 group. 3
Separately, in a decree addressed to the Russian Foreign Ministry, President Vladimir Putin has instructed that Russia must strive to ensure that the issues surrounding the Iranian nuclear programme is settled exclusively through political and diplomatic means, on a gradual and mutual basis. 4
Following the talks with visiting US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, during which India was urged to ‘do more’ to scale down its oil trade to Iran, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has stated that India has to look at the issue beyond energy trade as it has vital stakes in the Gulf region. India has asked Iran to abide by international obligations under the NPT but has maintained that it has a right to pursue nuclear activities for peaceful purposes. 5
Reports noted that Iran and Oman held the 10th Joint Military Committee meeting on May 12 in Tehran. The two countries discussed expansion of regional and trans-regional relations, reinforcement of mutual cooperation in fields such as training and culture, and protection of sea borders. 6
In another development, in a meeting with visiting Indian Deputy National Security Advisor, Latha Reddy, the Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council has welcomed India’s will to expand its strategic cooperation with Tehran. Both sides stressed the need to enhance cooperation in fields including energy, fight against common threats such as terrorism, piracy and narcotics, and in defence and naval security. 7 The Indian Minister for External Affairs, E Ahamed, also noted that India-Iran relations are ‘satisfactory’ in the political, economic, cultural, industrial and energy fields, in a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister in the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Shaykh. 8
In other developments, Iran has invited member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement to a summit to be held in Tehran on August 22 this year. 9