TEHRAN Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here on Thursday said the upcoming visit of Spain's Prime Minster Jose Maria Aznar to Iran is important and expressed hope that the trip will help promote bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Spanish prime minister will arrive in Tehran at the head of a 70-company delegation Sunday.
Receiving a copy of the credentials of Spain's new Ambassador to Tehran, Leopoldo Stampa, Kharrazi said Aznar's visit to Iran demonstrates the high position Iran has for the government and people of Spain. He added that it was high time for the two countries to expand bilateral relations.
The new ambassador pointed to the historical relations between the two countries and said Aznar's visit to Iran will be the highest ever and "we consider it to be outstanding." Referring to Spain's closeness to the Middle East and the cultural commonalities of that country with the Muslims, Kharrazi said, "Spain has a deep insight of the Islamic culture and therefore establishing cultural relations and people-to people contacts and tourism with Islamic countries including Iran will be very convenient for it." Kharrazi pointed to the common grounds for the regional and international cooperation between the two countries and added, "We welcome Spain's regional cooperation and interests in the Middle East." The foreign minister said the existing potentials for bilateral cooperation is suitable and expressed hope that given the economic officials accompanying aznar in his trip to Tehran, the economic cooperation between the two countries be promoted.
(IRNA)