Iran declaration beginning of new era

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says a newly-issued declaration by Tehran on a nuclear fuel swap will open a new chapter in the international political arena.

“Iran’s nuclear declaration is the beginning of a new era in the international political arena and offers a great opportunity for interaction and dialogue,” IRNA quoted President Ahmadinejad as saying in a phone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday.

The Iranian president went further to praise the key role played by Turkey and Brazil, which are non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, in finalizing the Tehran declaration last week.

“Tehran is to create a new atmosphere in international relations based on fair and constructive cooperation with its friend and brother countries,” he added.

President Ahmadinejad also expressed hope for a world without nuclear weapons, while pointing out that all countries should have the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Turkish premier, for his part, reiterated the necessity of continued diplomatic efforts and dialogue to resolve lingering misunderstandings over Tehran’s nuclear program.

“Turkey will make every effort to drum up international support for Iran’s nuclear declaration,” Erdogan said.

On Friday, the Turkish prime minister sent letters to leaders of 26 countries, sharing the details of the Tehran nuclear fuel declaration with them.

Erdogan also urged US President Barack Obama to give diplomacy a chance and embrace the opportunity provided by the declaration.

On April 17, Iran, Turkey, and Brazil issued a nuclear declaration, which requires the Islamic Republic to send 1,200 kg of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey in return for 120 kg of 20 percent-enriched uranium.

The declaration received a warm welcome from different heads of states and international organizations, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.