Brussels, 08/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - When they met in Brussels, the EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, and the Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi, discussed bilateral relations, the situation and the future of Afghanistan and the latest developments in the Middle East. Mr Solana repeated the EU's commitment for both sides in the Israel/Palestine conflict to start negotiating again and the two politicians discussed the meetings that took place against the backdrop of the EuroMed ministerial meeting. In terms of bilateral relations, Mr Kharrazi hoped that the cooperation agreement (negotiations should be launched next year) would be as "broad as possible".
But most of the interview was given over to Afghanistan. The Iranian minister repeated his country's position favouring sanctions against terrorist acts but opposing military action that kills or injures civilians. He welcomed Mr Solana's request for humanitarian aid to be transported across Iranian territory. The two politicians also discussed the transitional structure to be set up in Afghanistan which should include representatives of all the different tribes under the aegis of the United Nations - the Iranians want to be involved in this process. Iran is reported to favour an administrative as opposed to a political structure. Work is expected to continue in this connection in the next few days against the backdrop of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and the two men are due to meet again in the field, where intense diplomatic activity will be deployed on the Afghanistan and Middle Eastern questions. The EU Troika will be meeting Kofi Annan on Friday afternoon before the UN meeting starts on Saturday morning. The Troika will be meeting with Pakistani representatives on Wednesday.