Tehran, Brussels Enjoy "Very Good" Relations: FM Spokesman

TEHRAN - The Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister louis michel is arriving here today for a three-day official visit.

Asefi said that during Michel's visit to Iran, the first by a Belgian foreign minister since the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the latter will meet with government officials to discuss ways of enhancing mutual relations as well as regional and international issues.

"Tehran enjoys "very good relations" with Brussels, which is the capital of a number of European organizations, and these ties have developed to a great extent in recent months, Asefi said.

Expansion of economic, technical and industrial cooperation between Tehran and Brussels will be among the topics to be discussed during Michel's visit, he further noted.

In other developments, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is coming to Tehran on Monday next week for a two-day official visit.

Referring to the Sezer's upcoming visit, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said that Iran attaches great importance to the visit as "Turkey is one of Iran's important neighbors." Addressing reporters on Monday, the spokesman said that the will of the two countries' leaders to improve ties has led to a considerable increase in the mutual trust enjoyed by Tehran and Ankara.

The recently completed gas pipeline transferring Iranian gas to Turkey is evidence of the economic and energy cooperation of the two countries which is expected to enrich the region as well as change the future relations of regional countries, Asefi noted.

He said that during Sezer's stay in Iran all avenues for greater cooperation by the two neighbors will be examined.