Monday, May 30 2005 17:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Reykjavik: Asserting the need to reform the United Nations, President A P J Abdul Kalam today (May 30, 2005) said that the changes would make the world body more compatible with contemporary realities and enable it to become democratic and transparent.

Speaking at the banquet hosted in his honour by Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Kalam said, "India and Iceland share cherished values such as pluralistic democracy, human rights and freedom in a tolerant social environment.

"Both India and Iceland are committed to the UN charter. We believe that there is a dire need to reform the UN structure to make it more compatible with the contemporary realities and make it more democratic and transparent," the President said.

He appreciated Iceland's principled stand and consistent support to India's candidature for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

Referring to ties between India and Iceland, he said "We deeply appreciate patronage of bilateral relations by Iceland" since the year 2000 when Grimsson visited India for the first time.

"My Government too shares your commitment to expand and deepen our ties for mutual advantage. We believe that my current visit to Iceland would give further fillip to our ties by providing visibility and fostering mutual awareness," Kalam said.

Kalam said the visit could benefit bilateral trade with greater focus on mutual comparative advantages, particularly in areas such as fisheries, textiles, food articles and consumer goods.

"There are adequate possibilities to promote people-to-people contacts through tourism and cultural exchanges," the President said.

Highlighting the country's performance, Kalam said, "We have been working to uplift our country and are today world's largest democracy and fourth largest economy. India's spectacular success in agriculture, information and technology, pharmaceuticals, nuclear and space research are well known."

About Iceland, Kalam said "Your achievements in science and technology cover a wide spectrum from alternative sources of energy to genome mapping" are excellent.

Referring to the banquet, Kalam read out a couplet of Havamal on hospitality "The newcomer needs fire, his knees are numb. A man who has made his way over mountains, needs food and fresh linen."

The President expressed hope that the friendship and growing cooperation between Iceland and India will grow in times ahead.