Austrian president in Iran

Austrian President Thomas Klestil arrived today in Iran to increase international concern regarding the human rights situation in Iran.

The European Parliament urged Iran last week to reconsider the death sentences against four persons due to their role in student protests in Tehran during July.

The visit is to last for two days and is the first for a president of any of the European Union member states since the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979.

The Austrian president is escorted by a delegation including more than 100 officials and businessmen.

He will hold talks with his Iranian counterpart, Mohamed Khatami, discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and sign commercial transactions.

Iran and Austria enjoy good relations, as the value of commercial exchange between them exceeded $250 million last year.