The foreign ministers of Iran and North Korea have held a meeting in which they emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the two states in various spheres, Press TV reported.
Political affinities and principles shared by Tehran and Pyongyang can be used to help efforts to expand relations between the two countries in the economic, trade, educational, and scientific spheres, IRNA quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi as saying on Thursday.
He made the remarks at a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun in Bali, Indonesia on the sidelines of the 16th meeting of foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Salehi described the meetings between the two countries' officials at various levels as "constructive" and called for bilateral cooperation at international forums.
The North Korean foreign minister praised Iran's economic achievements and said Pyongyang wants to expand its economic cooperation with Tehran.
He went on to say that the exchange of visits between Iranian and North Korean officials would play an important role in serving the interests of the two nations.
Meanwhile, at an earlier meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad criticized the Western approach to current developments in the Middle East and North Africa.
"Conspiracies" and the "interference" of Western countries in the internal affairs of Middle Eastern countries have caused many problems, al-Miqdad said.
He strongly condemned the "biased" attitude of the Western powers, particularly the United States, toward the recent events in the region.
Salehi also highlighted the importance of strengthening the strategic relations between Tehran and Damascus.
At the end of his trip to Indonesia, the Iranian foreign minister traveled to Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, on Friday to hold talks with officials of the Southeast Asian country.
Salehi also met with Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mohamed Bolkiah on Thursday on the sidelines of the 16th meeting of NAM foreign ministers.
He said the consultations between Iran and Brunei would play an effective role in the efforts to adopt a common and appropriate stance on regional and international developments and said Iran is ready to provide technical and educational services to Brunei.