Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here Tuesday that sovereign states do not need permission to engage in peaceful nuclear activities. Speaking at a Cabinet-Majlis joint session, Mottaki said Iran`s nuclear strategy is based on both transparency and emphasis on rights guaranteed under international law. Referring to the bill laying down the next fiscal year`s budget and its importance in international relations, he said that the next budget will have an impact on the country`s political, cultural and economic ties and will be a strategy in international relations. ”The new government`s foreign policy has been crafted ”in such a way that meetings and visits with neighboring states will have significance.” Mottaki, who described Iran`s relations with neighboring countries as ”very important,” said ”all aspects of political, economic, defense and security ties have been drawn in consultation with these states considering these relations. Hence, the two sides will see good opportunities for cooperation opened for them.” He said the Islamic Republic of Iran will invest in transit routes that will strenthen the North-South and West-East corridors and facilitate exchanges.” The minister, morevoer, said that expansion of border exchanges with neighboring states was a policy of the new government and added that setting up of new border checkpoints was on the government`s agenda. Iran will continue to support moves to establish legitimate governments in Iraq and Afghanistan through democratic processes such as the elections recently held in the two countries. Mottaki said promotion of tourism and easing of restrictions on visa issuance were in the government`s agenda. On the subject of defense cooperation with neighboring countries, he said these should be encouraged because ”they brought in good results.” Urging stronger relations with Islamic states, he said this was a policy of special importance to the government.