Louis Michel
Vice-Eerste Minister en Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken
Tussen 24 en 28 september 2001: Iran.
Korte uitleg over het land
Officiële naam : Islamic
Republic of Iran
Hoofdstad : Tehran
Systeem van de Staat : Unitary Islamic Republic
Oppervlakte : 1,648,000 Sq Km (636,296 Sq Mi)
Bevolkingsaantal : 74,692,000
Doel van de reis
Het doel of de missie had tot doel de vijf landen te informeren over de beslissingen die vielen tijdens de uitzonderlijke Europese Raad over internationaal terrorisme, vorige week vrijdag in Brussel.
Berichten in de plaatselijke kranten
Khatami
Warns Straw of Another Human Tragedy
Date: Wednesday, September 26,
2001 Category: Politic (read
more)
Iran News 26 september 2001
TEHRAN -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said yesterday that the European Union (EU) mission, led by Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, was due to arrive in Tehran yesterday, IRNA reported. The delegation's visit to the Islamic Republic is in line with EU efforts in the global anti-terrorism campaign following the recent attacks in the United States, he said. He added that the visit is also aimed at discussing the latest Middle East developments and the critical situation in neighboring Afghanistan with senior Iranian officials. "Seeking ways to uproot terrorism in the entire world will be among the major topics to be discussed by the two sides," he added. The Islamic Republic of Iran has made it clear that it is against taking hasty measures under the current delicate situation, Asefi said. He stressed that Tehran believed an exchange of views at different levels is essential to a settlement of the crisis in the region. During the visit to Tehran, the EU delegation is due to meet President Khatami and Foreign Minister Kharrazi. Led by Michel, the foreign minister of Belgium, the current rotating president of the EU, the delegation visited Iran as part of a five-day regional tour of Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria. Michel was accompanied by Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique - Spain takes over the EU presidency in January - European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten, and the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. Meanwhile, the Belgian Foreign Ministry said that the aims of the visit are to explain EU conclusions reached in an emergency summit held last Friday and its plan of action in the fight against terrorism in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States. Members of the delegation said the visit was also to secure confirmation from countries they visit that they would support the battle against terror being waged by the international community and to stress that the fight "does not in any way equate terrorism with the Arab or Muslim worlds". The members added that they also wanted to demonstrate their concern for the situation of countries in the region and their willingness to help. The Troika's visit to Tehran follows on the heels of a visit by Jack Straw, the first British foreign minister to visit Iran since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran News 27/09/2001
TEHRAN -- President Seyed Mohammad Khatami said yesterday that all nations should take part in the campaign against terrorism. In a meeting with the EU Troika led by Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, President Khatami expressed hope that the bitter terrorist attacks on U.S. cities would bring about unity in the international community to delve into the root causes of human difficulties with regard to terrorism. The President considered pondering on the recent terrorist attacks as necessary and urged wise and humanitarian people of the world to find solutions to the ugly phenomenon of terrorism. "Confronting criminals is the right of the international community," said the President. "But it must be supported by evidence according to international law so that the international norms would not be broken." He stressed that Europe, the United States and Asia should cooperate under the leadership of the United Nations to eradicate terrorism. He expressed hope that the lives of innocent humans should not be violated by vengeful acts. The President alluded to hands that connect this incident with the events in the occupied lands. Remindful of the essential differences of these events, he said, the Arab and Islamic worlds allow no hesitation in condemning the oppressions and aggressions of Zionists in support of Palestinians. "For eliminating difficulties such as war and terrorism, today, the dire human need is to make politics ethical," said the President. He cited a statement from Imam Ali (A.S.), who said, "Must I attain victory by oppression and cruelty? Never would I do such a thing!" This means making politics ethical.
IRNA 26/09/2001
Belgian FM: Iran important, influential country in region
Tehran, Sept 26, IRNA -- Visiting Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel here on Wednesday termed the Islamic Republic of Iran as an important and influential country in the region and in the entire world of Islam. (read more)
