MADRID (IRNA) -- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain Miguel Angel Moratinos said on Wednesday that Tehran and Madrid enjoyed friendly ties.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Mehdi Safari who arrived in Madrid heading a delegation on Tuesday.
Moratinos added that Spain is keen to boost bilateral ties with Iran.
He also said that Madrid is willing to hold sincere, friendly and open talks with Tehran over major regional developments.
The Iranian official, for his part, voiced Tehran's readiness to further bilateral and regional cooperation with Madrid.
-----Spain supports Iran talks with 5+1 group
Safari also conferred with his Spanish counterpart Angel Lossada, who expressed Spain's support for Iran talks with the 5+1 group states.
The two also discussed regional issues as well as expansion of Tehran-Madrid ties in cultural, political and economic fields.
-----Safari calls for expansion of Iran-Spain ties
Safari, in a meeting with Spanish Senate Speaker Rojo Javier, stressed the need to deepen parliamentary ties between Iran and Spain.
He described the role of parliaments in promoting bilateral ties as significant and said that interaction between MPs and specialized committees will play a crucial role in forging understanding between the two nations.
Safari referred to Iran's role in establishing peace and security in the region and expressed his country's support for Afghan President Hamed Karzai.
Rojo, for his part, described Iran-Spain relations as positive and said that Spanish Senate is highly interested in broadening parliamentary ties with Iran.
Referring to Iran's position in the region, he further noted, ""We are aware of Iran's main role in solving regional and Afghanistan's problems and respect its status.""
Stating that Iran has a good knowledge about Afghan problems, he added that exchange of views with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is important for solving Afghan dilemma.
--------Iran boycotted Afghan summit due to Sarkozy's remarks
Safari, in an interview with Channel 4 of Spanish TV, said the reason for Iran's absence from Afghanistan Neighbors Summit in Paris was French President Nicolas Sarkozy's insulting remarks against Iran.
He clarified that Iran regards the statements as insult to its nation.
""Iran feels itself duty-bound to establish peace and security in Afghanistan and if the event had been held in any other country except France, Iran would have certainly participated in it,"" he underlined.
Iran has spared no efforts to support President Hamed Karzai's government, Safari said, adding that Iran believes that he has been elected by the Afghan people.
Stating that currently 3.5 million Afghans are living in Iran, he said that two million are in the country illegally and that this shows Iran's commitment to the Afghan issues