Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Monday afternoon with Mrs. Park Geun-Hye, the President of South Korea. President Rouhani was also present at the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence referred to the positive outlook of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards increasing cooperation with Asian countries and stated that continuous and permanent relations between Iran and South Korea are to the advantage of both countries. He reiterated: “Agreements and contracts between the two countries should be signed in a way that foreign factors and sanctions do not exert a negative impact on them because it is not appropriate for the relations of countries such as Iran and South Korea to be under the influence of American whims and wishes.”
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that cooperation and exchange of experiences in scientific, political, social and security areas is to the advantage of both countries, saying: “In foreign policy, we are more inclined towards Asia because of sharing many matters with that region in cultural and historical areas. For this reason, we believe that the possibility to reach agreements and to cooperate with these countries – including South Korea that is among advanced countries in Asia – is more.”
Referring to the existence of important problems in the area of security in the region and in the whole world, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “If the danger of terrorism and insecurity is not confronted in a real and proper way, it will become more difficult to cure it in the future and no country will be immune to this danger.”
His Eminence mentioned that the Americans have divided terrorism into two groups of good and bad terrorism, adding: “America chants the slogan of fighting against terrorism, but in practice it does not behave honestly. This is while terrorism is bad no matter what form it takes. It is dangerous for peoples and the security of countries. Without the existence of security, desired progress will not be achieved.”
On the issue of cooperation and agreements between the two countries, he stated that for Iran, the issue of priorities in bilateral agreements is the most significant issue: “The possibility to promote beneficial cooperation between Iran and South Korea exists, but our priorities on the issue of cooperation are not confined to finance and business. The contracts that are signed should satisfy Iran’s needs in infrastructural areas and in the area of public economy.”
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that one of the main requirements in the relations between Iran and South Korea is the inflexibility of the agreements and treaties of the two countries towards foreign factors, stressing: “The relations between Iran and South Korea should not be dependent on sanctions and they should not be under the influence of American whims, rather the relations between the two countries should be continuous, permanent, strong and close.”
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the long history of the relations between Iran and South Korea – that involved many peaks and troughs – and reiterated: “Fortunately, the current South Korean administration is a cooperative and supportive administration. Iran too benefits from many advantages - such as a young, talented and educated manpower - for increasing continuous cooperation.”
The President of South Korea described her trip to Tehran as a valuable opportunity to expand bilateral relations and to build mutual trust: “During the time of sanctions too, we tried to continue our presence in Iran as long as we could.”
Park Geun-Hye referred to Iran as a country that enjoys competent and efficient manpower and an exceptional geographical location, adding: “We hope that in the future, the relations between the two countries – particularly, in the area of the economy – will be strengthened.”
Pointing to the statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the issue of the economic progress of Iran and his insistence on scientific, economic and industrial progress based on self-reliance, the President of South Korea stressed: “I am confident that your emphases on Iran’s economic development and growth will bring about a very good future for your country. We too are prepared to increase cooperation in different areas such the area of the environment, science and technology and economy.”
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