Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi has explained why Iran will not take part in the upcoming meeting of the eight industrialized nations (G8) on Afghanistan.

According to Qashqavi, based on earlier preliminary agreements between Iran and host Italy, certain preparations had to be made including expert talks between delegates from both sides to ensure the optimum level of achievement in the conference. The groundwork, however, was not laid forth, Qashqavi explained.

The spokesman went on to say that Iran had not spared any effort to help restore peace, security and stability in Afghanistan and has fully collaborated with the international community in reconstructing the war-torn country.

Italy announced earlier that Iran will not take part in the meeting in the Italian city of Trieste in June. Iran had to confirm its participation in advance by Monday.

"With three days to go, I still do not have a reply: I must consider that Iran has declined the invitation, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said. Obviously there are rules in international diplomacy: When you invite somebody, that somebody has to respond.''

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was invited to attend the meeting aimed at reviewing means of bringing stability to Afghanistan.

Earlier, Iran had agreed to consider attending the conference after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton indicated that Iran would be invited at the conference.

"There are a lot of reasons why Iran would be interested," she said. "So they will be invited. Obviously it is up to them to decide whether to come."
 

Source: Press TV