Japanese envoy: Japan-Iran ties deep, historical

Isfahan, June 11, IRNA – Japanˈs Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi said here that ties between Iran and Japan are deep and historical. In a meeting with Isfahan governor general here on Tuesday, Kishi said that Isfahan has great capacity in the field of tourism and expressed pleasure with his first visit to Isfahan. He added that premier of Japan considers ties with Iran very important and his visit to the country is, as matter of fact, follow up of Japanese senior officials visits to Iran in recent months. Kishi expressed hope that with positive results in nuclear talks, mutual relations between the two countries could develop further. Concerning drought in Zayandeh Rood (River), the Japanese diplomat expressed regret and said that Japan can cooperate in the field of water control and management with Isfahan. On Isfahan governor general proposals about declaring Isfahan city with Kyoto city in Japan as sisters as well as exchanging tourists between the two countries, the Japanes diplomat said he would transfer the issues to the related officials of his country. Isfahan Governor General Rasoul Zargarpour, for his part, said that the two countries with rich and old cultures and civilizations, have had political and cultural connections. Zargarpour added that Iranˈs new government wants to increase interactions with other countries and international connections in this government have had a noticeable growth and visits of senior officials of other states to Iran in recent months is a reason for the issue. Referring to visits of Japan premier and foreign minister to Iran, Zargarpour said that the visits indicated that Iran has a special position in Japanˈs foreign policy, as Japan has in Iranˈs foreign policy, too. Considering similarity in historical background between city of Kyoto and Isfahan city , Zargarpour proposed that the two cities be declared sisters. He also stressed that Isfahan is a good place for Japanese investors, especially in the issue of tourism. Nobuo Kishi arrived in Isfahan on Tuesday heading a Japanese delegation./end