Tehran keen to expand ties with Sarajevo

TEHRAN,Apr.23(MNA) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the Islamic Republic is keen to expand its relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. “The level of economic, cultural, and tourism relations between Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina is not satisfactory, and the Islamic Republic is ready to expand ties with Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Rouhani said during a meeting with new Bosnian ambassador to Tehran on Tuesday. He also expressed hope that Muslims in the southeastern European country would be able to preserve their cultural identity. During the meeting, the Bosnian ambassador submitted its credentials to the Iranian president. In separate meetings with Rouhani on the same day, new ambassadors of Georgia, Cyprus, New Zealand, and the Philippines presented their credentials to the president. In his meeting with the Cypriot ambassador, Rouhani said that the Islamic Republic is seeking to strengthen its economic, cultural, and scientific relations with Cyprus. The Cypriot ambassador also said that his country as a member of the European Union will make every effort to promote the relationship between Iran and the EU. In his meeting with New Zealand ambassador, Rouhani said that there is good potential for the expansion of ties between the two countries, especially in tourism and cultural sectors.