Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for plans to remove the obstacles to cooperation with Italy and pave the way for a new era of economic interaction between the two countries.

The Iranian foreign minister held a meeting with chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Italy�s Senate, Vito Rosario Petrocelli, in Rome on Tuesday.

Pointing to the 160-year history of relations between Iran and Italy, Zarif said there are positive opportunities for economic cooperation between small and medium-size enterprises of the two nations.

He also stressed the need to remove the obstacles and prepare the ground for a new era of economic cooperation between Tehran and Rome.

Zarif further deplored the perilous conditions in the region resulting from the Zionist regime of Israel�s activities and hostile measures against the Palestinian people.

The foreign minister also expounded on Iran�s views about the situation in Yemen and Afghanistan.

For his part, Petrocelli highlighted the significance of relations with Iran and expressed Rome�s willingness to broaden parliamentary cooperation with Tehran.

Zarif has visited Italy after a trip to Spain. He has held meetings with his Italian counterpart and with Pope Francis over the past days.