Iran, Bosnia Emphasize Will For Strengthening Ties, Expanding Cooperation

Sarajevo, April 10, IRNA – Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast and Bosnian Deputy FM Suada Dilberovic in a meeting here Monday evening stressed the need for strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation. According to Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the Monday meeting at the Iranian Embassy in Sarajevo, both sides reviewed Iran and Bosnia’s good comprehensive relations, stressing the need for extended expansion of bilateral economic and commercial ties, in the fields of tourism, information exchange, and media fields. Mehmnparas said in the meeting, “In order to expand the level of cooperation we need to take advantage of the entire open opportunities and unused potentials, and introduce these capabilities to the people and possibilities to the people and the economic activists, which would doubly accelerate improvement of relations.” The head of public diplomacy and media communications of the Foreign Ministry elaborating on hidden potentials in the two countries’ diplomatic and public communications fields, added, “A part of pursuing the public relations work in general atmosphere of the two countries, and a more important part of work in the field of the mass media, is on the shoulders of the countries’ friendship associations and NGOs.” He reiterated, “We welcome increasing the people’s interactions.” Mehmanparast meanwhile referred to the convening of the two countries’ first Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, reiterating, “The reached agreements at that commission pave the path for further cooperation and holding the 2nd commission, too, can be a good step.” He referred to the capabilities of the private sector in energy, food industry, railroad and power station fields, arguing that Iran welcomes getting involved of the Iranian private sector firms in these fields in your country.” Mehmanparast meanwhile stated that getting access to 15 neighboring countries of Iran is one of the privileges of having economic cooperation with our country, adding, “Under such conditions that the entire western countries are suffering from economic shocks the Islamic Republic of Iran has managed to implement one of the greatest economic projects, namely the elimination of subsidies.” He added, “We do not welcome being sanctioned, but the sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic of Iran till today have led to strengthening, advancement and self-sufficiency of the Iranian nation.” The Foreign Ministry spokesman in the meeting expressed hope that the upcoming Iran –G5+1 negotiations would be held amid a positive and constructive atmosphere and would be a step forward and the natural right of the Iranian nation for taking advantage of the atomic energy for peaceful purposes would be internationally recognized. In the meeting Mehmanparast also elaborated on Iran’s stands regarding the regional developments and the wave of Islamic Awakening in the region. The Bosnian Deputy FM Suada Dilberovic, too, in the meeting reiterated, “The bilateral relations are very good and the ground is well paved for their further expansion and improvement. The Bosnian top diplomat said that Iran’s assistance to Bosnian and Herzegovina during the tough war years in his country were very valuable and while appreciating them, added, “The Islamic Republic of Iran while keeping in mind its own traditions and habits, very well comprehended the conditions of the Bosnian Muslims and had comprehensive control over the situation of the region and that proximity would remain in the Bosnian society.” The Bosnian Deputy FM expressing his country’s interest in increasing the level of cooperation with the Iranian private and public sectors, welcomed exchange of tourists and tourism planning between the two countries, keeping in mind the ancient and historical background of Bosnia on the one hand and its tourist attractions on the other hand as another appropriate ground for the two countries’ economic cooperation. Dilberovic also expressed hope that the two countries would increase their contacts at international level, adding, “Increased political consultations and economic cooperation are among the fields of emphatic interest for the Bosnian officials.” Her referred to his country’s plans for membership at the European Union and that the matter would be finalized in near future, reiterating, “The conditions and level of cooperation can be pursued at a vaster and newer atmosphere.” The two sides in the meeting also exchanged opinion on regulating the bilateral political meetings./end