October 11, The Iran Project � Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi at the end of his visit from Rome addressed the 20th Edoardo Amaldi Conference on International Cooperation for Enhancing Nuclear Safety, Security, Safeguards and Non-Proliferation.

Addressing the gathering, he said dedicated to the commemoration of the scientific work and achievements of the late Professor Amaldi, the very title and the work program of the Conference points to its relevance to the wide range of serious issues the international community is grappling with in the field of nuclear industry and related activities.

"Despite the fact that Iran�s original interest in the nuclear industry dates back to the post-WWII �Atom for Peace Program� era, its nuclear program is yet at a humble stage in comparison with the state of the industry in more advanced countries. At this point, I would only limit myself to presenting a sketchy, broad brush of major turning points in the development of our nuclear program," he said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the two-day closed-door conference on Nuclear Disarmament in Rome, Salehi said in the conference on non-proliferation there were discussions on three important issues like nuclear security, nuclear safety, and safeguards as well as the JCPOA.

"As far as the third pillar is concerned, the JCPOA would be further strengthened if the establishment of a comprehensive disarmament as well as the Nuclear Free Zone in the Middle East is materialized.�

Salehi left Tehran on Thursday (Oct 7) for two European countries and on the first leg of his European visit, arrived in Rome, at the invitation of the Italian officials.

So far, Salehi also has held talks with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano, visited several nuclear sites there and held talks with Italian officials.

After wrapping up his visit from Italy, head of AEOI arrived in London on Tuesday evening to hold talks with UK officials.