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TEHRAN: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who is on an official visit to Iran, has urged the Islamic country to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency on matters concerning its nuclear programme.
This is in order for Iran to achieve its full potential as a regional economic and political power.
The 45-minute meeting with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took place at the presidential office complex.
Mr Goh is accompanied by Minister Raymond Lim and MP Halimah Yacob.
The Iranian leader briefed his visitors on the country's philosophy for its development and its views concerning regional developments.
Mr Goh explained to the Iranian president he is in Tehran to get an update on developments both in Iran and the Middle Eastern region.
This would then enable Singapore to make its own independent assessment of the developments.
Mr Goh last visited Iran in July 2004, just before he announced the date of his handover to his successor in Singapore.
Senior Minister Goh believes Iran has the potential to become an important regional leader in the Middle East.
But for this to happen, it must gain the trust of the rest of the world and in particular, its neighbours.
So Mr Goh emphasised to the Iranian President that his country must cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
This is to assuage the concerns of Iran's neighbours and the international community over the country's nuclear programme.
The Singapore delegation, which arrived in Tehran on Sunday, met Iranian Vice-President Ali Saeed Lou earlier.
The Executive Vice-President invited Mr Goh to visit Iran more often and to meet its leaders to gain a better understanding about the Islamic state.
The two leaders exchanged views on ways to gradually advance bilateral ties between the two countries.
Mr Goh also visited the Khodro Automobile Factory, which supplies nearly 47 percent of passenger vehicles in the country and employs some 20,000 workers.
The company is hoping to export its products to Asia, starting with a facility in China by September this year.
- CNA/so
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