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Iran reliable energy source for Europe - FM Zarif

TEHRAN, March 2 (KUNA) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday his country was a reliable source of energy for Europe.
Zarif, during a meeting with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo, called for the development of cooperation between Tehran and Madrid in the political, economic and cultural domains.
He said Iran and Spain believed in the importance of combating violence and extremism, a ministry statement said.
Zarif said Iran would be a reliable source of energy for Europe, including Spain.
He meanwhile hoped the nuclear talks with the P5+1 group would proceed on the basis of mutual confidence.
Margallo said Spain was satisfied with the pace of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group (the five UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany).
The two ministers also discussed the Syrian conflict and the developments in Ukraine.
Margallo, speaking to reporters following the meeting, said Spain used to import 14 percent of its oil needs from Iran over the past years "which shows the importance of the Iranian Islamic Republic." He said Spain was ready to cooperate with Iran in the oil and gas fields. (end) mw.bs KUNA 022209 Mar 14NNNN