Roundup: Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina mull over possibilities to boost ties

Concurrent with the visit of the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bakir Izetbegovic, to Iran's capital Tehran, senior officials from both sides reflected on potential ways to enhance cooperation and boost ties in diverse areas.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and Izetbegovic on Wednesday discussed plans for lifting visa requirements for travel between the two countries.

Larijani highlighted the role of tourism in the expansion of economic relations between Tehran and Sarajevo, saying that the move would help unleash the potential for more economic interaction.

Izetbegovic asserted that visa-free travels and implementation of the previous bilateral agreements would contribute to closer economic ties.

Iran can establish joint companies with Bosnia and Herzegovina to gain access to the European Union market, he added.

Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to boost economic cooperation, official IRNA news agency reported.

The MoU aimed at promoting trade and investment cooperation between small and medium-size companies of both countries.

Addressing a joint meeting of high-ranking officials on Tuesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for a road map for sustaining and developing economic and trade ties between the two countries, Tasnim news agency reported.

Izetbegovic highlighted Sarajevo's resolve for expansion of economic and financial relations with Iran, saying that Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina could be gateways of each other to the European and Asian markets.

He also urged to remove obstacles for private sector activities and to facilitate financial transactions between the two countries.

The two countries also agreed for mutual cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism Wednesday, Tasnim reported.

Officials from the two countries discussed joint action against terrorism and extremism, which are issues of mutual concern and pose a serious threat to the region and the world, Rouhani said at a joint press conference with Izetbegovic.

Besides, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to the history of friendly relations between Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina, underlining Tehran's full readiness to enhance cooperation and interaction with Sarajevo in different fields.

Izetbegovic described his talks with Iranian officials as "successful" and hoped the friendly ties between the two countries would lead to effective economic cooperation.

He underlined that expanding relations with Muslim countries is one of the policies of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Heading a high-ranking political and economic delegation, Izetbegovic arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for a four-day visit. Endit