TEHRAN - Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior foreign policy advisor to the Leader, said on Tuesday that the situation is ripe for Iran and Singapore to expand relations.

During a meeting with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam in Singapore, Velayati said the relationship between the two countries is “on the rise”.

He called for more efforts in line with expanding relations in various areas of economy, energy and transportation.

“Cultural and social commonalities, along with economic capacities will further strengthen the ties and the commonalities should be used to take practical steps in development and expansion of relations,” Velayati said.

Elsewhere, Velayati said that Iran makes efforts to foil “divisive” plots which undermine the Islamic countries in the Middle East region.

He added that Iran plays an important role in countering threats in the region.

Velayati also condemned use of force to change legal governments.

Velayati was referring to militants fighting the Syrian government and an attempted coup by a group of army officers to topple the Erdogan government in Turkey.

The veteran politician also highlighted the importance of consultation and exchange of information to settle regional crises.

For his part, Shanmugaratnam said Iran has an important and strategic status in the region and called for expansion of ties.

NA/PA