Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Beijing Thursday that China supports Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and hopes the Iran nuclear issue will be properly resolved within the IAEA framework as soon as possible.  

Li made the remarks during talks with visiting Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharazi on Iran's implementation of the additional protocol to the safeguard agreement with the IAEA.

Kharazi said Iran will continue to cooperate with the IAEA and sign the additional protocol. Iran has stopped the uranium enrichment program, but the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be reserved.

Li said China welcomes and appreciates Iran's positive stance and action, and supports Iran's complete cooperation with the IAEA.

He hoped that all parties concerned would continue dialogs and consultations on the Iran nuclear issue so that the issued could be resolved properly within the IAEA framework at an early date through constructive cooperation.

Li and Kharazi also exchanged views on the China-Iran relationship and other international issues.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2003)