Iran-Oman-Ties
Iranian ambassador to Muscat on Tuesday called for expansion of Iran-Oman ties.

In an interview with Oman-based newspaper Al-Shabiba, Morteza Rahimi noted that the recent visit of deputy to Oman Sultan Qaboos, Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said, is considered was a positive step towards strengthening bilateral ties.

He added that during the al-Said's visit some agreements in the fields of politics, economy, culture, oil and gas cooperation were signed and this was among the important achievements of his visit.

"On the sidelines of al-Said's visit, the possibility of establishing a joint research center, publishing books
in Persian and Arabic languages and translating archaeological books into Arabic were studied," he said.

According to Rahimi, an educational Iranian center for teaching Persian language will be established in Oman under the supervision of Iranian embassy in Muscat.

Referring to the meeting of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with Deputy to Oman's Sultan Qaboos, ways to develop bilateral cooperation were discusses.

Rahimi also expressed hope that the Oman's Sultan Qaboos would visit Iran in near future.

Pointing to the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) Summit in Riyadh and transfer of its rotating presidency from Qatar to Oman, Rahimi underlined that the Riyadh summit was very important.

"Oman plays a key role in bringing PGCC members closer to one another," he said.

Referring to bilateral tourism cooperation, Rahimi noted that bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism is not very extensive, calling for establishing direct Tehran-Muscat air link in near future.

During al-Said's visit to Iran, President Ahmadinejad named Oman as a brotherly country, calling for expansion of bilateral ties.

He also underscored the deep-rooted relations between Islamic Republic and Oman, expressing hope that al-Said's visit would help develop bilateral ties and the regional cooperation.

Ahmadinejad further said that the Iran-Oman cooperation should become a model for other regional countries.

The president made it clear that there is no obstacle to bolstering of bilateral ties.

Al-Said, for his part, called for expansion of cooperation in all fields. Al-Said arrived in Tehran on April 20.

MA**1412

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