Philippines Deputy FM Says World Needs Iran Ties

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 28, IRNA – The Philippines deputy foreign minister said on Monday in a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to Manila that no country in the world is needless of having relations with Iran, which is a major and influential country today. Ivan Garcia referred to the high status and regional significance of Iran in the meeting, asking for the expansion of Tehran-Manila relations. He meanwhile expressed regret over the martyrdom of the Iranian diplomats in Yemen and Lebanon, saying that such terrorist acts are threats against the international community. The international and regional developments, as well as bilateral relations were discussed in the meeting. Iranian Ambassador in Manila Ali Asghar Mohammadi, too, in the meeting referred to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ relations and said that Tehran’s basic policy is strengthening relations with the Asian countries. He emphasized that Tehran is interested in expansion of comprehensive relations with Manila and that is the reason why a high ranking delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon arrive in the Philippines for participation in the Joint Consular Consultative Committee. The Iranian delegation will arrive in Philippines capital city, Manila, today (on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a large economic delegation comprised of members of the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industries in the framework of a visit by a larger group of merchants of the chambers of commerce of the Asia and Oceania are currently in Tehran./end