Sunday, October 03, 2004

Iran's President Khatami to visit Algeria, Sudan, Oman next month

Tehran Times Political Desk reports October 2, 2004 - copy:

TEHRAN (MNA) -- President Mohammad Khatami is to start a three-nation tour on October 2 that will take him to Algeria, Sudan, and Oman.

Top on the agenda during his official visits to the three states will be a review of the latest regional and international developments and discussions of bilateral cooperation with senior officials of the three countries.

President Khatami’s visit to Algeria is in response to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s visit to Tehran last October.

Five major agreements on bilateral cooperation in the areas of judicial affairs, finance, industry, and air transport were inked by Iran and Algeria during Bouteflika's visit to Iran last year.

The Iran-Algeria Joint Economic Commission held its second session in Tehran in June 2004.

Algerian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Rachid Harraoubia and Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology Jafar Towfiqi signed four memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

Senior Iranian and Sudanese officials say President Khatami's visit to Sudan could open a new chapter in Tehran-Khartoum relations.

The participation of Iranian companies in several exhibitions held in Sudan has encouraged the government to finalize agreements already reached by the two sides, particularly one on eliminating double taxation.

Iran-Sudan relations have been steadily growing in recent years, and the 8th session of the Iran-Sudan Joint Economic Commission was held in Khartoum in early September, during which several MOUs were inked.

The Iranian president will visit Oman on the last leg of his three-nation tour.

http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=9/30/2004&Cat=2&Num=003