Presidential candidate Ali Akbar Velayati says Iran needs to develop ties with neighboring states in order to live in security.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cOur security depends on our peaceful relations with neighboring countries,\u201d Velayati told a group of university professors and students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences on Sunday.\n<\/p>\n
Velayati, who is also a medical doctor, further noted that having peaceful relations with neighbors \u00c5\u201cis like prevention in medicine,” where spending a small sum on a vaccine will prevent a deadly disease which cannot be cured even at a hefty cost.\n<\/p>\n
He went on to emphasize that Iran needs to \u00c5\u201ccreate regional cooperation\u201d with its neighbors.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cFriendly relations with neighboring states will be the best, most effective, least expensive, and most fruitful way to live in lasting peace,\u201d Velayati stated.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The presidential candidate had served as foreign minister for 16 years up to 1997. He is currently foreign affairs advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.<\/p>\n
Other candidates include lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, President of the Expediency Council\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Center for Strategic Research Hassan Rohani, Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei, former First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili.\n<\/p>\n
Iranians will go to the polls in the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s 11th presidential election on June 14. The fourth city and rural council elections are also scheduled to be held on the same day.\n<\/p>\n
Nearly 50.5 million Iranians are eligible to vote, with more than 1.6 million first-time voters.\n<\/p>\n
KA\/HGH\/SS<\/p>\n