Norway Intends to Boost Ties With Iran

September 12, 1999 - 0:0
TEHRAN Visiting Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Wegger Strommen, met Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and his Iranian counterpart, Morteza Sarmadi, here Saturday. In his meeting with Sarmadi, Strommen referring to the ups and downs in Tehran-Oslo ties in recent years said his current visit indicates the end of the any retreat in Oslo's ties with Tehran. Norway intends to boost its cooperation with Iran on the basis of Friendly ties, he said.

Referring to the two countries' reliance on oil, the Norwegian official underlined the need for Tehran-Oslo strategic cooperation in the oil sector. Expressing his country's interest in industrial and economic cooperation with Iran, he called for further promotion of ties along with their international activities. Rejecting the clash of civilizations, he praised President Mohammad Khatami's initiative for introducing dialog amongst civilizations doctrine which has also been welcomed by the United Nations General Assembly that designated year 2001 as year of dialog amongst civilizations.

The new century should be devoted to finding new ways for co-existence and respect for each other, the Norwegian official said. He also invited Sarmadi for an official visit to Oslo. On his part, Sarmadi briefing Strommen on Iran's foreign policy over the past two years expressed satisfaction with the upgrading of ties between Iran and Norway. Sarmadi also called for consolidated and balanced bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and interest, so that the ties could not be affected by political events or propaganda campaign.

(IRNA)