Iran's first vice-president felicitates Tunisia on National Day

Iran's First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri Saturday extended his felicitation to the Tunisian government and nation on the country's National Day. Jahangiri, in his message to Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa, expressed hope that the two countries would witness further constructive and cordial relations in the future. Jahangiri also wished prosperity and success for the brotherly nation of Tunisia. Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Tunisian Ambassador to Tehran Khaled Zitouni voiced their countries' willingness to consolidate the bilateral relations between the two brotherly states. In a meeting, Zarif praised Tunisia as a flag bearer of progressive movements in the North Africa, and underscored that Iran is resolve to promote ties with Tunis in all spheres. Zitouni, for his part, underlined the need for expansion of Tehran-Tunis ties, particularly in economic and cultural fields and expressed optimism that the two countries would promote their relations in various areas in the future. Late in November, Iranian Minister of Economy Ali Tayyebnia and Tunisian President Moncef Marzouqi, in a meeting on the sidelines of the third Arab-Afro Summit in Kuwait, expressed the hope that the mutual cooperation between the two friendly nations would increase in various fields. They regretted that trade between Iran and Tunisia failed to keep up with the extensive capacities of both countries, calling for a joint specialized economic committee to be set up to help boost economic cooperation.