Iran To Transfer Technology To Tunisia: FM

Tunis, April 24, IRNA – Visiting Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi pointing to Iran’s technological capabilities, declared here Monday, Tehran’s preparedness for transferring its technological achievements to Tunisia. Salehi made the remark in a meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali. “The continuation of confers between the Iranian and Tunisian officials can accelerate the expansion of bilateral relations; the real agents of division among Muslims have no faith in Islam.” Salehi transferred also to Tunisian premier the message of Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi in which the Iranian Veep has welcomed Hamadi Jebali’s visit to Tehran in near future. Jebali, for his part, praised Iran’s scientific achievements and its powerful international position adding that cooperation between Tehran and Tunis in all fields, including the transfer of science is very important for the progress of his country. Salehi and Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem had also stressed the need for expansion of cultural relations between the two countries, particularly in the field of arts. Meanwhile, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Iranian Film Week at the Ibn Rachik Cultural Center in downtown Tunis, Salehi called the event as an opportunity to develop cultural relations between the two Muslim nations. Speaking at the event, Abdessalem called Iran’s Cinema 'a progressive one', adding that the brilliant Iranian films are the outcome of Iran’s great civilization. On Monday, an Iranian film week kicked-off at the Ibn Rachik Cultural Center in downtown Tunis. Screenings of the showcased films will continue until Sunday April 29th, and the event is organized by the Tunisian Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Preservation in collaboration with the Cultural Bureau of the Iranian Embassy. The start of the event coincided with the diplomatic visit of the Iranian foreign minister to Tunisia. Salehi conferred the latest bilateral and international developments in a meeting with his counterpart on Monday. Salehi stressed the importance of exploitation of Tehran and Tunisia capacities for the interest of both sides. “Iran is ready to transfer its experiments in all fields including the field of law to the Tunisian brothers in the framework of inter-parliamentarian cooperation.” Speaker of the Tunisian Constituent Assembly for his part welcomed the expansion of cooperation between Iran and Tunisia and conferred with Salehi, latest developments on the drafting of Tunisia’s constitution. Salehi had also a meeting with Tunisia’s Industries and Trade Minister Mohamed Lamine Shakhari and discussed with him the ways for expansion of economic and trade relations, including making joint investment by Tehran and Tunisia. Tunisia’s Industry and Trade Minister for his part emphasized need for development of relations with Iran. Salehi on Monday also conferred with the Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali in Tunis on issues of mutual interest. Both sides exchanged views on ways for expanding the two countries' relations in political, economic and trade ties. They also discussed latest developments in the region and world. The Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem was also present in the meeting. Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem said on Monday that expansion of ties with Iran helps Tunisian government and nation during democratic transitional period after the revolution. He made the remarks in a press conference with his Iranian counterpart Ali-Akbar Salehi in Tunis. Expressing honor on behalf of Tunisian government and nation to host the first Iranian high ranking official after their revolution, Abdessalem said that current volume of trade and economic cooperation is unsatisfactory, calling for further expansion of cooperation in different fields. He said that Tunis and Tehran share common stand on different issues such as empowering of the Islamic world and on other regional and international issues. Abdessalam said that he was pleased with holding an Iranian Film Festival in Tunis, calling for further expansion of cultural cooperation between the two countries. Salehi heading a political and parliamentary delegation, arrived here on Monday to hold bilateral talks with senior Tunisian officials./end