§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister. [105340]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 17 January 2000]: I welcomed Dr. Kharrazi as the first Iranian Minister to visit the United Kingdom since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. I stressed the importance we attach to continuing the development of the relationship between the UK and Iran, as a major country in an area of strategic importance to the UK.
Dr. Kharrazi and I agreed that relations between the UK and Iran should be based on co-operation and mutual trust.
There of course remain areas of concern for both sides. I raised with Dr. Kharrazi the continued detention of 13 members of the Jewish community in Iran. Dr. Kharrazi assured me that those detained would receive a fair and open trial, including access to visitors and legal 415W representation. I also mentioned our concern that Iranian commitments on Salman Rushdie's safety should be upheld.