Tunisian foreign minister arrives in Tehran

The Tunisian foreign minister al-Habib Bin Yahya on Sunday started a visit to Iran during which he presides his country's delegation to the meetings of the 4th session of the Tunisian- Iranian joint economic committee.

Bin Yahya commended the Tunisian- Iranian relations and said in a statement upon his arrival in Tehran on Saturday evening saying that Iranian- Tunisian relations have recently witnessed great development in all fields, stressing the desire of the two countries to deepen and boost relations.

During the meetings of the committee the two sides will discuss means of implementing economic agreements signed during the visit held by the Tunisian prime minister to Tehran in 2000.

Meantime today, IRNA news agency quoted Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on Monday as saying that Iran and Tunisia have initiated a new chapter in their relations. "Iran and Tunisia which have started a new page in their ties are intent on experiencing an Islamic democracy," Khatami told the visiting Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Ben Yahia in a meeting when the Tunisian minister submitted a message from Khatami's Tunisian counterpart Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Khatami said the last April's visit to Tehran of Tunisian Prime Minister Muhammad Ghannouchi was a "turning point" in Tehran-Tunis ties and expressed hope that the two countries expand their ties in all felds.