Tunisia supports Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy

TEHRAN – Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki has said that his country supports Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

 

Marzouki made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Tunis on Tuesday.

 

He described Iran’s role in the region and the world as significant and called for the consolidation of bilateral ties. 

 

Marzouki also thanked the Iranian nation and government for supporting the Tunisian revolution and emphasized the need to promote cooperation between the two countries in all spheres.

  http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/97270-tunisia-supports-irans-right-to-peaceful-use-of-nuclear-energy

In the meeting, Salehi spoke about various issues, including the latest developments in the region, particularly in Syria. 

 

Commenting on Iran’s stance toward the most important issues concerning the region, Salehi stated that the Islamic republic of Iran’s policy is to help maintain regional peace and stability and to oppose foreign intervention in regional countries, including Syria. 

 

He went on to say that the Syrian nation and government should resolve the crisis through national dialogue.

 

Salehi conveyed the greetings of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Marzouki and congratulated the Tunisian nation and government on the victory of their revolution.

 

Salehi said that Tehran and Tunis have many affinities and have great potential which should be utilized to increase cooperation in all spheres. 

 

He also delivered Ahmadinejad’s official invitation to Marzouki to participate in the upcoming meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, which is scheduled to be held in Tehran in late August.

 

Tunisians should preserve their revolution 

 

In a separate meeting with foreign diplomats and local officials on the same day, Salehi advised Tunisians to safeguard their revolution and prevent foreign powers and extremists from hijacking it, Press TV reported. 

 

“We are happy to be standing beside the Tunisian people at this critical time. On behalf of the Iranian government, I advise the Tunisians to be aware of the dangers faced by their popular 2010 revolution… enemies will make use of all their economic and political means to derail the justice-seeking movement of the Tunisian people. So it’s all up to you to determine (your) destiny and not let it get out of your hands,” he said. 

 

Salehi added that Tunisians should rebuild their country by relying on their rich cultural and religious heritage. 

 

He said Iran is ready to share its political, economic, and scientific experiences with the North African country, adding that the Iranian government is also prepared to welcome and pay for the treatment of injured Tunisian revolutionaries. 

 

During his trip to Tunisia, Salehi also met with the Tunisian prime minister, Hamadi Jebali, the speaker of the Tunisian Constituent Assembly, Mustafa bin Jaafar, and the leader of Tunisia’s Islamic Ennahda Movement, Rashid al-Ghannushi.

 

Salehi and his delegation arrived in Tunisia on Monday at the invitation of his Tunisian counterpart Rafik Abdessalem. 

 

This is the first visit by a high-ranking Iranian official to Tunisia since the fall of the country’s Western-backed dictator, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, in 2011.