BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

21/01/2007

Iran, Belarus ties based on regional peace: general

TEHRAN, Jan. 21 (MNA) - Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Brigadier General Yahya Rahim Safavi said here on Sunday that Iran-Belarus relations are based on promoting regional peace and security.

"We are ready to expand political, economic, security, and energy cooperation with Middle Eastern, Caucasian, and East European countries," Safavi said during a meeting with Belarusian Defense Minister Leonid Maltsev.

Currently, the global and regional security issues are at a fateful stage and political, economic, security relations have become intermingled, Safavi said.

The United States is seeking to expand its political, economic, and security hegemony over the world's strategic areas and energy resources especially the Persian Gulf area by adopting unilateral policies and violating the international law, he added.

Iran, Belarus, and the Russian Federation share common interests and views, facing common threats, he said, adding, "We can establish long and short-term cooperation with Belarus and Russia."

Safavi noted that Iran seeks to promote peace and security in the region and the world.

"Our armed forces are comprehensively monitoring the foreign troops in the region, and in case of an attack against Iran, we will confront them with full strength."

The Belarusian defense minister called for expansion of defense ties with Iran in order to boost peace and security for both countries.

Minsk is against the violation of other countries' sovereignty under any pretext, Maltsev said, adding that every country has the right to decide for itself on how to live in peace and freedom.

Source:

http://www.mehrnews.ir/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=437941