PROBLEM TEHRAN Visiting Cyprus Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides here Wednesday conferred with his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi on expansion of political, economic and cultural relations both at the regional and international levels. Underlining the positive and outstanding development in the past two years, the two ministers welcomed expansion of mutual relations during the period. There are ample potentials for attaining high level of mutual and multilateral relations in the economic and commercial sectors, said the two ministers. While reviewing joint investments in industry, banking, air services, commercial shipping and tourism, the two ministers underlined regional status in increasing and facilitating trade exchanges with central Asian and Caucasian states as well as with Europe. Describing the holding of cultural week, artistic exhibitions, exchange of professors and university students, scientific and research cooperation to upgrade and expand cultural cooperation as well as communication between the two countries people as positive' the two ministers welcomed the trend in mutual cooperation. Kharrazi lauded the activities of and investments made by Cyprus in Iran's free trade zones. Kasoulides, for his part, said that Cyprus attaches great importance to ties with Iran and believes that the Islamic Republic of Iran plays an outstanding role in creating stability and parity in the region. Also, Kasoulides appreciated the Islamic Republic of Iran for its support for efforts to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem. He said, "Whether at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) or other international fora where Iran is a member, Iran's voice in favor of rule of law and justice in the case of Cyprus is heard repeatedly and with a clarity or message that resonates far and wide." He said in his address to a conference Cyprus, a melting pot of civilizations at the crossroads of three continents that on the bilateral front, relations between the two countries continue to expand into new areas of cooperation. Recently, the friends of Cyprus from the Iranian Parliament visited Cyprus. "What was evident from their various meetings is the keen interest to explore and propel cooperation to new fields, such as trade, industry and tourism, including joint ventures in the industrial field. Let me use this opportunity to invite the business community in Iran to utilize the potential that exists in these and other areas," he said. Kasoulides said that in many issues Cyprus and Iran have a good understanding, particularly regarding issues affecting the developing world. "Both our countries attach particular importance to making the UN a more effective instrument in the hands of the world people," he said. "In Cyprus, we believe that reform of the Security Council is a necessity, not for the sake of reform, but rather to enable it to carry out its responsibilities more effectively and give it greater legitimacy in the eyes of the world," the Cypriot foreign minister said. (IRNA)