Iran keen to expand ties with Europe

, Dec 13:

is willing to strengthen cooperation with the European countries, particularly the Slovak Republic, Iran's first Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Thursday.

"As one of the most developed countries in the region, the Islamic republic is willing to expand economic, commercial and banking cooperation with the European countries," Xinhua reported, citing Jahangiri.

Making the remarks during a meeting with the visiting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Tehran, Jahangiri expressed hope that the implementation of the agreements already signed between Tehran and Bratislava on dropping double taxation and supporting bilateral investment would lay the ground for further enhancement of economic ties.

Iran also inked deals with US, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany.

For his part, the Slovak Prime Minister praised the relations between Iran and Slovakia, saying his country was ready to broaden Tehran-Bratislava cooperation in energy, trade, economic, banking and parliamentary areas.

He also congratulated Iran on inking a nuclear deal with the six major world powers - the US, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany - in Geneva last month, saying the accord would create a good atmosphere for the expansion of Iran-Europe cooperation.

On Wednesday, Iran released two other Slovak nationals arrested in June on charges of possessing illegal equipment and violating the Islamic republic's law.

In September, Iran released six of the eight Slovak nationals, who "had travelled to Iran as tourists, but they had unconventional behaviour and equipment," the foreign ministry said.