TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iran's First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri expressed Tehran's willingness to continue its collaborations with Rome, urging that bilateral relations between the two countries should be promoted.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to expand its cooperation with Italy in different fields, particularly in the field of environment," Jahangiri said in a Saturday meeting with Italian Minister of Environment, Conservation, and the Sea Gianluca Galletti.

The Iranian official further hailed the historical ties between Tehran and Rome, saying that Iran is willing to continue the positive trend of its interactions with Italy.

Italy should once again find its previous position in trade cooperation with Iran, and become a major partner for Tehran, Jahangiri added, referring to the once-large share of Italy in Iran's market.

Galletti, for his part, described the environmental problems of Iran and Italy as similar, and underscored the necessity for expansion of cooperation between Tehran and Rome against environmental threats.

Iran and Italy are to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on environmental cooperation, which will hopefully have positive effects on the expansion of mutual cooperation, Galletti added.

Earlier in November, Iranian Vice-President and Head of the Department of the Environment Massoumeh Ebtekar made an official visit to Rome, during which she discussed with Italian offcials ways for the promotion of cooperation between the two countries on environmental issues.

By Tasnim News Agency