Iranian DM: Bushehr N. Plant to Go Online Soon

Bushehr nuclear power plant will come into operation soon in future, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said in Moscow on Tuesday, describing construction of the nuclear facility as an instance of high level of cooperation between Iran and Russia.

"Iran and the Russian Federation are two neighboring countries which face common opportunities and threats in regional and international levels," Najjar told reporters in Moscow, adding, "The changing conditions in the region and the world require the two neighboring countries' effective and continued consultations on issues of mutual interest."

The Iranian defense minister, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in the Russian capital late on Monday on a four-day visit, and was officially welcomed by his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov and a number of senior commanders and officials of the Russian Army.

Referring to his itinerary in Russia, Najjar said that in addition to a review of bilateral issues, he would discuss future joint cooperation in his meetings with the Russian officials.

"Iran and the Russian Federation have good relation at all levels and Moscow has invested in some of Iran's big projects, and Bushehr nuclear power plant is a symbol of these relations that will be operative soon," the Iranian minister reiterated.

Najjar also reiterated that Iran and Russia feel responsibility regarding global and regional peace, security and stability and attentively study any change and development in regional security arrangements.

Elsewhere, he stressed Tehran-Moscow technical and defense cooperation and said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran makes use of all opportunities to defend its national sovereignty although Iran's military and defensive power is basically dependant on domestic capabilities."

FHA