Iranian President Urges Countries of Central Asia and Caucasus to Develop Cooperation

Iran favours cooperation between the Central Asia region and the Caucasian countries in the provision of stability and security in the regions. This was disclosed in Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's message to the participants in the 10th international conference, "Prospects and Security in Central Asia and the Caucasus", which started on Monday in Teheran.

After the collapse of the USSR, many new countries were formed, which now pursue their own interests and have never participated in the process of regional stability and security provision, Iranian Foreign Minister Khamal Kharrazi said at the beginning of the forum. In this regard the Iranian Foreign Minister underlined the necessity to coordinate joint efforts of the countries in the region in order to work out a common security system.

Kharrazi expressed hope that the countries of Central Asia, Caucasian countries and littoral Caspian countries will be taking into account the interests of their neighbours when making decisions on foreign issues. The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasised the importance of the economic factor in regional stability and pointed to Iran's geographical opportunities for developing transport infrastructure in the region.

Representatives from Iran, Russia, Central Asia countries and the Caucasus, the USA and various European countries are participating in the two-day conference in Teheran.