Iran's co-op with Latam states, strategic: Minister

Tehran, Nov 30, IRNA – The minister of industries and mines said Monday that the Islamic Republic of Iran's expansion of cooperation with Latin American states, Brazil in particular, is strategic.

Ali-Akbar Mehrabian, Head of Iran-Brazil Joint Economic Commission, made the remarks while talking to an IRNA correspondent.

Mehrabian said the expansion of cooperation between Tehran and Brasilia in various fields will form a “significant power” in world that can join Iran with the important Latin American countries.

Referring to the recent trip of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Brazil as a new beginning in bilateral relations, the minister said the visit would increase the level of cooperation between the two nations.

Ahmadinejad's trip to five African and Latin American states started on November 22.

He added the talks between the Iranian and Brazilian presidents were positive and focused on the economic, trade, technological, energy, agricultural and industrial issues.

Pointing to worldwide propaganda against Iran, Mehrabian said the country, on the contrary, is determined to promote cooperation with world states. /end