TEHRAN, July 29 (UPI) -- European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Monday that the EU was determined to broaden its ties and expand economic cooperation with Iran.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi in Tehran, Solana said the EU-Iran cooperation "should broaden in both economic and political areas."
Solana underlined the important role Iran has been playing in regional affairs and emphasized "the need for continued mutual relations between Iran and the EU member states," according to the official Iranian News Agency.
He said the EU backs Iran to join the World Trade Organization and expressed hope that the signing of a joint trade cooperation agreement would encourage the European countries to increase their investments in Iran.
The EU official voiced concerns about the current crisis in the Middle East and called for efforts to end the violence in the region.
Kharrazi said the expansion of Iran-EU ties would serve both sides' interests and that his country was keen to promote a comprehensive cooperation with the European Union.
He blamed the United States' "unconditional support of Israel" on what he termed as "the Zionist atrocities" against the Palestinians.
Solana arrived Sunday in Tehran for a two-day official visit during which he was expected to meet Iranian President Mohammed Khatami.
