TEHRAN - Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref-Yazdi received on Wednesday Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu in Iranian capital Tehran.
During the meeting, Aref-Yazdi said that historical, cultural and geographic ties between two countries had helped improvement of bilateral relations.
Improvement of bilateral relations was for the benefit of two countries, Aref-Yazdi stated.
Aref-Yazdi expressed hope that good relations between Turkey and Iran would constitute an example for improvement of relations among Islam countries in the region.
Mumcu, in his part, said that cooperation in tourism was a cultural opportunity for two countries, adding that any new cooperation in this field would increase cooperation between two countries in other fields.
Mumcu is expected to return to Turkey on Thursday.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu left for Iran on Monday as the guest of Iranian Islamic Culture and Guidance Minister Ahmad Masjed-Jamei.
Mumcu and Masjed-Jamei inaugurated ''Turkish Tourism Days'' Fair in Tehran on Tuesday.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mumcu attended the third meeting of Turkish-Iranian Business Council in Tehran later on Tuesday. Iranian Roads and Transport Minister Ahmad Khoram was also in attendance at the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Mumcu said that further improvement of bilateral economic relations between Turkey and Iran would also be beneficial to the other countries in the region.
Mumcu and Masjed-Jamei later signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in tourism.
Earlier in the day, Mumcu met with Iranian Minister of Education and Training Morteza Hazi-Qaem.
(BRC) 28.04.2004