Iran, South Korea Keen to Expand Ties

 (FNA)- Iranian and South Korean officials in a meeting in Seoul on Friday underlined their determination and interest to further consolidate bilateral relations between the two states.

During the meeting in the South Korean capital today, Iranian Ambassador to Seoul Ahmad Masoumifar and Chancellor of South Korea's Yonesi University Young Jeong discussed bolstering and reinvigorating mutual cooperation.

The Iranian ambassador pointed to Iran-South Korea scientific and technological capacities, and said, "Achieving the goal of expansion of bilateral ties, specially in academic field is not far away."

Young, for his part, promised to prepare the ground for the expansion of scientific cooperation between the two countries.

He also voiced his willingness to travel to Iran with the aim of becoming acquainted with Iranian scientific centers and universities.

Last month, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se in a meeting with Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi asked for stronger bilateral relations with Tehran, specially in political, trade and cultural fields.

During the meeting, Yun pointed to the current Iran-South Korea relations, and said, "The South Korean nation respects Iran’s culture, civilization and nation, voicing his country’s eagerness to further cement cultural affinities with Iran."

The South Korean foreign minister also pointed to the exchange of political and parliamentary delegations between Iran and South Korea, and said, "I hope that bilateral ties would further enhance in all areas of politics, economy and culture."

He noted that South Korean firms are closely monitoring the negotiations and are keen on further trade exchanges with the Islamic Republic.

Boroujerdi, for his part, referred to age-old Tehran-Seoul relations, and said, "The existing trade exchanges between the two countries necessitate closer mutual political, economic and cultural interactions."