TEHRAN -- Based on a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 8th Three-Day Session of Iran-New Zealand Joint Economic Commission, which opened here on April 6, the mutual economic and trade cooperation will be broadened. According to the statement, signed by Minister of Agricultural Jihad Mahmoud Hojjati and New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Trade Negotiations and Rural Affairs Jim Sutton, New Zealand is due to broaden its touristic ties with Iran. It added, "The 8th Ministerial Session of Iran-New Zealand Joint Commission marks the mutual interest and will come up with practical and effective ways to broaden and diversify the bilateral economic and trade ties. Following the discussions held between the authorities of both countries in the city of Wellington in 2000, New Zealand has been supporting Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has declared its readiness to provide Iran with technical advice. The statement added, "General solutions towards the improvement of mutual trade ties were assessed by Iranian and New Zealand authorities and the key role of the private sector in expanding economic ties." Also the need for extensive use of New Zealand's high expertise in various agricultural grounds including genetic optimization, pasture plants, forests, various species of apple, kiwi and golden kiwi had been emphasized by the statement. According to the agreements reached between the ministers of both countries, the next session of the joint commission is to be held in New Zealand. The joint economic commission also prepared the grounds for new areas of cooperation between the two countries such as education, forestry and pastures, Hojjati said. The two sides also discussed ways to broaden cooperation in oil sector, said the minister.