Iran, Italy to Boost Cultural Cooperation
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Cultural officials representing Iran and Italy agreed to set up a task force to help enhance cultural relations between the two countries and to regulate a series of cultural events to be held jointly by Tehran and Rome.
The agreement on forming the task force was reached between Ali Moradkhani, the Iranian deputy minister of culture and Islamic guidance, and Italy’s Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities Massimo Bray, here in Tehran on Saturday.
According to the Iranian official’s proposal, the task force will be tasked with making arrangements to hold joint cultural events between the two countries.
“Formation of the work committee can define the frameworks for the joint activities, and we are ready to reach the (final) stage for signing the executable agreement in a short time,” Bray said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the visiting Italian minister had a meeting with Mohammad Ali Najafi, Iran’s vice-president and director of the country’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization today.
Impressed by the Iranian officials’ high regard for culture, Bray underlined that Tehran and Rome can play significant roles on the international scenes by utilizing the cultural tools.
Iran and Italy have stepped up efforts in the recent months to strengthen bilateral relations.
In December 2013, Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino travelled to Tehran for an official visit.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Bonino met her Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani in her two-day long visit to Iran.
Bonino’s visit came after Zarif travelled to Rome in November at the invitation of his Italian counterpart to exchange views on regional and international matters.
She was the first Italian high-ranking official to visit Iran after almost ten years.