Iran feeds links with Brazil, LatAm

Iran: The Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry praised Monday the level of relations with Latin America, and denied rumors that the cancellation of a presidential trip to Brazil was a response to pressures or bilateral problems.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashghavi told press "the trip statesman Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had scheduled was not suspended by the Brazilian side, as it has been reported." It was Iran which cancelled the visit, due to the president's schedule.

Links with the so-called New World and particularly with Brasilia "are increasing" and in permanent expansion, Qashghavi said.

Ahmadinejad had predicted to begin May 4 a Latin American tour that will take him to Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador, countries with which the Islamic Republic expects to boost bilateral cooperation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stated early this month the head of State proposed to analyze with his peers the ways to develop relations and issues of interest.

Regarding Venezuela, the spokesman said they would encourage "continuous cooperation, and monitor accords and establishment of a joint fund for cooperation.

According to Iranian diplomats, the visit to Brazil will be the first by an Iranian president in 30 years.

The presidential group expected to arrive in Brasilia with 110 representatives of 65 national companies from the oil, gas, petrochemical, agriculture, food industry, automobile and construction sectors, the diplomatic source reported.

Teheran, Prensa Latina