MFA Press Statement: SMS Zainul's visit to Iran from 30 Apr - 4 May 08

Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, made a working visit to Iran to further bilateral relations and to attend the 8th Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) Council of Ministers Meeting (COM) from 30 April to 4 May 2008.
While in Iran, SMS Zainul visited both Tehran and Isfahan. In Tehran, SMS Zainul met with the President of Iran, Mr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with other Heads of Delegations to the IOR-ARC. SMS Zainul called on the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Manouchehr Mottaki, to discuss ways to further bilateral relations. SMS Zainul had earlier met the Acting Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific and Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs of Iran, Mr Ali Hosseini, the President of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines, Dr Mohammad Nahavandian, as well as other senior officials. SMS Zainul also called on the Foreign Minister of Yemen, Mr Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, at the sidelines of the COM.
In the province of Isfahan, SMS Zainul met the Governor General of Isfahan, Mr Sayed Morteza Bakhtiary, and the President of the Esfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines, Mr M Eslamian. SMS Zainul, Mr Eslamian and senior members of the chamber discussed the investment climate and opportunities in Iran and in Asia. SMS Zainul also visited several Islamic historical and cultural sites including the 17th Century Abbasi Jam-e Mosque and the Ali Qapu Palace. SMS Zainul also visited a temple of the pre-Islamic Zoroastrian faith and the oldest Armenian Cathedral in Isfahan.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
5 MAY 2008