Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing met Tuesday with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr
Mottaki in London on Iran's nuclear issue.
Li, who is in London to attend a two-day international
conference on Afghanistan, said while Iran's right to the peaceful
use of nuclear energy should be respected, the country should also
meet its obligations.
China holds that the Iranian nuclear issue should be settled
within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and
hopes that Iran and the Europe Union will continue to work out a
long-term solution through diplomatic negotiations, he said.
For his part, Mottaki said it is quite helpful for Iran and
China to keep consultations on Iran's nuclear issue.
Iran has no intention to seek nuclear weapons, but it has the
right to possess nuclear technology, said Mottaki.
Nuclear issues are becoming increasingly sensitive, the Iranian
foreign minister said, adding that Iran opposes attempts to refer
the Iranian issue to the UN Security Council.
Iran is willing to allay the world's worries over Iran's nuclear
activity and figure out a comprehensive solution through
negotiations, he noted.
Li also held talks with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on
Tuesday on issues ranging from Afghanistan, Iran, the Middle East
to the UN reform.
(Xinhua News Agency Febuary 1, 2006)