Iran, Brazil aim for change in world order

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Brazilian counterpart have vowed to boost relations in a bid to make reforms in the current “world structures.”

President Ahmadinejad said strong relations between Tehran and Brasilia could set an example for all independent nations to change the current “unfair world order.”

“The truth is some countries which dominate the world’s media as well as economic and political centers do not want other countries to progress. But together we can overcome these unfair conditions and make changes,” IRNA quoted him as saying.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva arrived in Tehran earlier Sunday to attend a summit of the Group of 15 on Monday.

President Ahmadinejad and Lula said the two countries aim to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion.

The Iranian president further hailed Brazil for its support of the rights of Iranians.

Brazil, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, has stepped up efforts to end a standoff between Iran and the West over the country’s nuclear program.

Tehran has welcomed Brasilia’s mediation efforts, saying the stance of independent countries such as Brazil and Turkey in finding a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue.

Lula, for his part, said there were “many people” who are not happy about Iran-Brazil relations. He stressed that the two countries should be careful about those who are plotting to hamper bilateral relations.

Iran has stressed that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) it has the right to enrich uranium and that it has accepted a proposed nuclear fuel swap offer as a confidence-building measure.

The West, however, has so far failed to accept Iran’s demand for guarantees on the timely delivery of the fuel.