TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Culture Minister Ali Jannati in a meeting with Armenian Ambassador to Tehran Artashes Tumanyan on Saturday voiced Iran's readiness for the expansion of cultural cooperation with Armenia, including exchange of musical bands.

"Iran is ready to exchange cultural and art groups with Armenia, including musical bands," Jannati said during the meeting in Iranian capital today.

The Iranian culture minister, meantime, appreciated the Armenian government for its efforts to register the country's Blue Mosque in the UNESCO's Heritage list, and said, "The restoration and maintenance efforts made by the Armenian government for this mosque to have it in the UNESCO (Heritage list) is a valuable measure."

The Armenian ambassador, for his part, pointed to the status quo of Tehran-Yerevan relations, and said, "Iran and Armenia share a common history and their relations have further deepened after Armenia's independence in early 1990s.

In December, Jannati and former Armenia's Ambassador to Iran Gregor Arakelian, in a meeting in Tehran, said that both Tehran and Yerevan are interested in the enhancement of cultural cooperation.

During the meeting, Jannati underscored the two countries' historical and cultural relations and called for expansion of ties in all fields, including arts and music.

Iran is ready to publish books in Armenian language, he added.

The Armenian envoy, for his part, hailed freedom of minorities including Armenians in Iran.

The official further called for bolstering all out ties between the two friendly nations.

Iran and Armenia have taken major strides towards widening and deepening of their relations in recent years, particularly in the economic sector.

By Fars News Agency