Iran to consider further collaboration in oil processing activities - Iranian FM

IRAN: Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama had bilateral talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Monouchehr Mottaki in Tehran last morning during his three day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Foreign Minister briefed his counterpart on the initiatives taken by the Sri Lankan Government to solve the current conflict through peaceful means. He also explained the steps taken by the Sri Lankan Government to liberate the Eastern Province from the LTTE and is in the process of resettlement and that already half of the population has returned to their homes.

The Foreign Minister also informed his counterpart that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has accepted the invitation extended by the President of Iran and that he will handover a special message from the President of Sri Lanka to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday.

He also highlighted the enhancement of bilateral relations in the trade, economic and political fields and appreciated the Iranian Government's support for promotion of trade and investment in Sri Lanka and pointed out the volume of trade between the two countries is US$ 800 million and there is more potential for further expansion.

The Iranian Minister welcomed Bogollagama's visit to Iran and informed him that Iran supports the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and wishes an early settlement of the current conflict and that Iran is ready to help Sri Lanka in resolving this problem.

The Iranian Minister also said that Sri Lanka is the gateway to the subcontinent in the production and distribution of oil like Singapore and that Iran will consider further collaboration to participate in oil processing activities in Sri Lanka.

Mottaki also highlighted that several leading Iranian companies have already shown interest in engaging in hydropower plant projects and said that Iran is aware of Sri Lanka's support to the Palestinian cause. President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been the President of the Palestinian Solidarity Association of Sri Lanka for a long time.

The Sri Lankan delegation at the bilateral talks between Sri Lanka and Iran comprised Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Iran M.M. Zuhair, Director General (Middle East & Africa), I. Ansar, Asoka Rajapaksa of the Foreign Ministry and B. Vidyarathna, First Secretary of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Tehran.

Later, the two Foreign Ministers attended a media conference and highlighted a broad array of issues concerning both Sri Lanka as well as Iran and current issues relating to the Middle East.

Minister Bogollagama will also have meetings with the Iranian Minister of Economy and Finance and Minister of Commerce. He will also call on the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Mohmoud Admadinejad.