Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is in Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, discussed issues of common interest with the President of the South American country Evo Morales before attending the first Iran and Bolivia economic and investment session together with his counterpart David Choquehuanca.
Nearly 200 traders and economic activist of state and private sectors were present at the meeting.
Also during the joint forum, the Bolivian FM Choquehuanca awarded his Iranian counterpart the highest state medal of Bolivia, entitled cóndor de los Andes, once Zarif had delivered a speech.
Heading a 120-strong delegation of businessmen and economy and politics officials, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif landed in the biggest city of Bolivia Santa Cruz de la Sierra at the fifth leg of his 6-nation tour of Latin America.
Upon arrival, FM Zarif was warmly received by his Bolivian counterpart in an elegant welcoming ceremony in which the honor guard played national anthems of the two states.
The Iranian official later took part in a luncheon scheduled by the president of Bolivia.
Diplomatic ties between Iran and Bolivia officially began in 2007 with the opening their respective embassies.
Currently, the annual turnover between the two countries reaches one million dollars though great opportunities exist for expansion of bilateral economic and investment relations.
Bolivian people hold a positive view towards the Iranian nation and Iranian trade companies are hopeful to make extensive presence in Bolivia following the joint economic forum.
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