Queen Of Denmark : Iran Is A Great Country With Ancient Culture, Civilization

Copenhagen, Nov 17, IRNA – Queen of Denmark Margaret II said here Friday, 'Iran is a great country with an ancient culture and civilization' expressing hope for continuation of comprehensive bilateral cooperation with Tehran. Queen Margaret II made the kind remark in a meeting with the new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Denmark, Hamid Bayat, after receiving a copy of his credentials, adding, 'The record of Tehran-Copenhagen cooperation dates back to very remote years in history.' The Queen of Denmark also expressed hope that cooperation and interactions between the two countries in all possible fields would expand and deepen and the two nations would be witnesses also to the expansion of relations between peoples of all walks of life from the two countries. The new Ambassador to Denmark Hamid Bayat, too, after delivering a copy of his credentials to the Queen, during the meeting referred to the history of amicable relations between the two nations in various fields, arguing, 'There are numerous opportunities for expansion of Tehran-Copenhagen relations today, particularly in economic fields.' Bayat pointed out that the Danish companies are well known in Iranian market and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran supports them, reiterating, 'We hope relying on the support of the Danish officials, we would be witnesses to evermore expansion of comprehensive bilateral relations.' The new envoy to Denmark also referred to the shared fields of interests for both countries, such a consultations on regional developments, announcing Tehran's readiness for beginning cooperation in such fields. The 2006 Prophet Muhammad (P) cartoons controversy saw the Danish Embassy to Iran attacked by protesters and the Iranian Ambassador to Denmark was called back to Tehran; thus straining political and economic interaction between the two countries. In 2010, the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Director General for Northeastern Europe Behnam Behrouz and the Deputy Danish Foreign Minister Anne Steffensen spoke of expanded commercial ties. Steffensen said, 'The Danish companies will be encouraged to boost their activities in Iran's market and we hope that the resolution of Iran and the West's nuclear standoff would pave the way for further expansion of ties in all areas.' She also said the US-backed sanctions on Iran would have no bearing on bilateral economic relations with Iran./end