IRAN'S KHATAMI CALLS FOR EXPANSION OF TIES WITH BOSNIA
BBC Monitoring International Reports - March 9, 2005

Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA web site

Sarajevo, 9 March: President Mohammad Khatami of Iran here on Tuesday evening (8 March) expressed the hope that Tehran-Sarajevo bilateral relations will further bolster.

Addressing a dinner banquet held in his honour by Chairman of the Bosnian Presidency Council Borislav Paravac, President Khatami expressed happiness over his current visit to Bosnia and Hercegovina.

Expressing his satisfaction with the settlement of the Balkan crisis, Khatami hoped that Bosnia and Hercegovina will turn to a golden gate for interaction between Central Europe and Near East countries.

By enjoying huge natural resources and great potentials, Bosnia and Hercegovina has a special position among European countries, he said.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, in the past years particularly during the Balkan crisis, proved that it is always ready to help the Bosnian people in all aspects of their life.

He hoped that the agreements reached between the two sides will pave the way for further expansion of bilateral cooperation.

Khatami, heading a high-ranking delegation arrived here on Tuesday afternoon on the second leg of his three-nation tour.

President Khatami was officially welcomed by Paravac at the presidential palace and the ceremony was followed by talks between senior members of the Iranian and Bosnian delegations.

During his two-day stay in Sarajevo, Khatami is scheduled to confer with a number of high-ranking officials and members of the Council of Religions of Bosnia and Hercegovina.

President Khatami arrived here from Zagreb, Croatia, on the second leg of his three-nation tour. The last leg of his tour will take him to Venezuela, an OPEC member.

The Iranian president is accompanied on the trip by Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharrazi and Minister of Roads and Transportation Mohammad Rahmati.


Source: IRNA web site, Tehran, in English 0706 gmt 9 Mar 05

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