Spain envoy to Iran submits credentials

Spain's new ambassador to Iran has submitted his credentials to the Iranian foreign minister as the Islamic Republic and the EU member state eye closer cooperation in the energy sector. On Wednesday, new Spanish Ambassador Pedro Antonio Villena Pérez met with the Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, who expressed satisfaction with the deep Tehran-Madrid ties. “Iran is a reliable country and a secure partner for the member states of the European Union, particularly Spain,” Salehi stated. He referred to the two countries' capacities for boosting bilateral relations and strengthening economic and trade cooperation, especially in the gas and oil sectors. The Spanish diplomat also highlighted the expansion of bilateral ties with the Islamic Republic. He also hailed the launch of a Spanish TV channel in Iran as a good opportunity for more cultural understanding and cooperation between the two nations. Iran's state broadcaster IRIB officially launched the HispanTV Spanish-language channel on December 21, 201.