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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