The EU is working on final negotiations on a cooperation accord with Iran, a spokesperson for the Greek foreign ministry said Monday, November 5.
Following an official tour of Pakistan, India and Iran last week by the Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreou, Beglitis said relations between Iran and the EU were particularly important. He said: "Greece supports Iran in its relations with the EU." He described the primarily economic accord as a "very important development."
Papandreou was accompanied on his visit by Dimitris Zafiropoulos, Secretary of State for International Economic Relations. Mr Zafiropoulos put forward proposals for the creation of a bilateral organization that would guarantee exportation funds from Iran.
Beglitis said this initiative would fall into the framework of "an aid program for the development of countries financed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development from 2002 to 2006." And Zafiropoulos also suggested Greek aid to Iran to develop the public sector framework, with a view to fitting in with European legislation.
According to a statement released by Zafiropoulos on Monday, the OECD would need to provide $20 to 30 million to finance the initiatives. — (AFP, Paris)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
