Iran keen to develop ties with N.Z.

Press, 3 December 1982, Page 3

Iran keen to develop ties with N.Z.

NZPA staff correspondent leneran Iran wants to expand its trade and political relations with New Zealand, its Foreign Minister. Dr Ali Akbar Velayati. said in Teheran. "We think New Zealand has something we need and we have something New Zealand needs." he said in an interview with NZPA. "Especially we need your lamb." He was pleased New Zealand would sell Iran 100,000 tonnes of lamb next year, he said, but he was also seeking New Zealand's help to attain agricultural self-sufficiency in the future. “We may send some students to your country to graduate.” Dr Velayati said. The possibility of NewZealand’s providing training in animal husbandry and technology was one of the subjects discussed during the visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Trade, Mr Cooper, which ended yesterday. This could be covered by a trade and educational agreement which has been mooted during the talks and discussions on this are to continue. “We think we can have more and more extended relations with New Zealand in several fields including

trade and politics." Dr Velayati said. “I think in future we are going to send some delegations to your country and I think it would be good to have delegations from New Zealand. These comings and goings should continue." Dr Velayati, speaking about Iran's foreign _policy, said the republic’s aim after the revolution which toppled the Shah was to get independence in politics and other fields in its relations with other countries. “That is why we entered the Non-Aligned Movement a few months after the revolution." he said. “We are opposed to military and political blocs. “We give priority to having relations with Third World countries, Muslim countries, and any country in the world which has no hostility against us and our revolution." The Iranian Government wanted to have routine relations with other countries in economics and trade, he said. It was against nuclear armaments and it wanted peace in the Middle East. Iran’s foreign policy was "neither East nor West. This is one of the main slogans of our people." Dr Velayati said.