NEW YORK -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Euro-American Affairs Ali Ahani, currently in Mexico for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mexican President Vincente Fox, said Latin American stands as a priority in Iran's foreign policy.

In a meeting with head of the Foreign Policy Commission of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies Friday, Ahani underlined the need for consolidation of bilateral, regional and international cooperation.

He said parliaments of the two countries can play significant role in further promotion of bilateral cooperation.

For his part the Mexican parliamentarian welcomed strengthening of cooperation between the two countries and called for further exchange of parliamentary delegations between the two states.

He expressed hope that Iran-Mexico parliamentary friendship group would be introduced to the Mexican Parliament in coming months.

Ahani had a separate meeting with the new Peruvian prime minister, former UN secretary general Javier Perez de Cuellar in which the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and international cooperation.

Pointing to potentials for boosting bilateral cooperation, Ahani expressed hope that relations between the two countries would further develop.

De Cuellar welcomed expansion of relations between Iran and Peru and said the two countries should further consolidate bilateral cooperation in various fields, including energy, through exchange of know-how. Ahani also met with Uruguayan Foreign Minister Didier Opertti who said that the Islamic Republic of Iran stands in a special place in Uruguay's foreign relations.

He said long-standing economic ties and identical stances on international issues have brought interests of the two countries closer to each other. He said his country supports the idea of dialogue among civilizations initiated by President Mohammad Khatami.

For his part Ahani underlined the significance of relations between Iran and Uruguay and expressed satisfaction over the first session of the Joint Economic Commission which was recently held in Tehran. Ahani also met with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jose Vincente Rangel and discussed with him bilateral relations as well as cooperation with OPEC and other international organizations.

The Venezuelan foreign minister welcomed bilateral parliamentary cooperation and said his country attaches great importance to further expansion of relations with Iran in various field, including agriculture and energy.

In another development, Ahani in a meeting with Panamanian Foreign Minister Jose Miguel Aleman called for further expansion of all-out relations between the two countries.

IRNA)