Tehran declaration helps cooperation

Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi says the Tehran nuclear declaration paved the way for moving toward better cooperation.

In a meeting with Iranian deputy foreign minister for European affairs, Ali Ahani, in Tehran on Sunday, Prodi stressed that using nuclear technology is a right recognized by all and it can not be denied by anyone.

“You have adopted the right strategy and by issuing the Tehran declaration and reaching an agreement with Turkey and Brazil, you have paved the way for further cooperation and moved [world] public opinion,” Prodi was saying in a foreign ministry statement.

Foreign ministers of Iran, Turkey, and Brazil signed the declaration in the Iranian capital Tehran on May 17, according to which the Islamic Republic would ship 1200 kilograms of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kilograms of 20 percent enriched nuclear fuel rods to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment.

Ahani pointed to the expansion of political, economic and cultural relations between Iran and Italy during Prodi’s term and called for further enhancement of ties between the two countries.

Prodi, who is on an unofficial visit in Tehran, described the amicable ties between the two countries as being on a “favorable path” that can be “exemplary” in the world.