Iran, Portugal to boost cultural ties

TEHRAN,June 21(MNA) -- The expansion of cultural relations was discussed in meetings between Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati and a number of Portuguese officials in Lisbon last week. He met Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Rui Machete and Secretary of State for Culture Jorge Barreto Xavier, the Iranian Culture Ministry announced in a press release on Friday. Iran and Portugal have the potential to boost their ties in the fields of literature, culture, art, sports and media, Machete said. Due to the fact that nine nations speak the Portuguese language, Portugal is ready to collaborate with Iran on joint cultural projects in the Portuguese-speaking countries, he added. Barreto Xavier also said that his country is eager to cooperate with Iran in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and other international organizations.