( IRNA ) - Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here Wednesday evening expressed hope that serious and constructive talks would resume between Iran and the Western countries to settle the nuclear issue.
Talking to Iranian nationals gathered in Iran's Embassy in Caracas, he reiterated that Iran will never abandon its inalienable right to pursue peaceful nuclear activities.
Lauding the successful achievements of the Iranian diplomacy in the past one year, he said Iran's Foreign Ministry paved the way for further expansion of ties with several world countries.
As to the latest developments in Iraq, Mottaki said the country's events in the past one year proved that Iraq is not the scene for displaying the US victories.
Despite presence of 160,000 US troops in Iraq, Washington, not only has not been able to provide security to the Iraqi nation but also could not take care of its forces there.
Mottaki arrived here on Wednesday afternoon and was warmly received by Venezuelan Deputy FM Vladimir Viegas and a number of top Foreign Ministry officials.
During his two-day stay, Mottaki is scheduled to meet Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, his counterpart Nicholas Madero, and Parliament Speaker Sylvia Flores.