( IRNA ) - Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here on Tuesday that relations between Iran and Venezuela were based on common interests and concerns.
Mottaki's remarks came during a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro Moros.
"Ties between the two countries have been growing in recent years thanks to the policies of the two sides' officials," the Iranian minister said.
He said that bilateral cooperation were most visible in the areas of tractor and auto production, energy and cement projects, housing construction, agriculture and industry which have increased their economic status.
He said Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and his government have been instrumental in promoting relations between Tehran and Caracas.
He said the grant of more facilities and paving of ground for implementation of projects, removal of obstacles in the way of trade and holding of meetings to familiarize each other of the economic potentials of the other side have served to boost bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation.
Pointing to current developments in Iraq, Mottaki said the Iraqi government plays a crucial role in strengthening the rule of law in the country and providing security to its people.
He stressed that the two above-stated most urgent problems facing Iraq will top the agenda of a security meeting scheduled to be held in Baghdad on Saturday.
Speaking of latest developments in Iran's peaceful nuclear program, he said that "regional states, European countries and the US give much importance to nuclear energy as a factor for progress and sustainable development."
"Accordingly, Iran also puts great emphasis on its right to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."
The Venezuelan minister, for his part, said establishment of a direct flight between Tehran and Caracas would be another step toward strengthening relations between the two sides.
He said that Iran and Venezuela will continue holding consultations in order to advance their common interests and confront the conspiracies of arrogant powers.
Maduro, who described Iran's role in Middle East, Persian Gulf, Asian and Latin American affairs as "prominent," said Iran and Venezuela had the capabilities to further increase their economic status in their respective regions.
The Iranian and Venezuelan ministers also discussed avenues for bolstering bilateral relations and matters taken up in the 4th session of the Iran-Venezuela Joint Economic Commission which opened in Tehran Tuesday. .