Correa said Ecuador wants to expand ties with Iran to the fullest possible extent.

TEHRAN - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad said here on Saturday that Iran is determined to establish comprehensive cooperation with Ecuador, despite the fact that the two countries still have no diplomatic relations.

In a joint press conference with his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa, Ahmadinejad said that he discussed the possibility of establishing cooperation in the oil, energy, industrial, and trade spheres with the Ecuadorian president and his delegation.

He also stated that Iran and Ecuador intend to work on joint projects and the relevant ministers of the two countries have already discussed the proposed projects.

Correa expressed hope that Iran-Ecuador relations will increase dramatically under his administration.

Now each country has a trade office in the other country, and the two nations are going to open embassies in each another’s capitals in January 2009, he added.

Prior to the press conference, a report released by the Presidential Office said Ahmadinejad announced that Iran is determined to share its experiences with Ecuador in all areas.

“Iran sees no limitations in transferring its (technological) achievements and (sharing) experiences with Ecuador in various areas,” Ahmadinejad told Correa.

The two presidents asserted that they would increase bilateral cooperation by exploiting all their potential in various spheres.

Ahmadinejad and Correa also said the Iran-Ecuador Joint Cooperation Commission plays an important role in expanding bilateral ties.

“The joint cooperation commission should take immediate practical steps to implement the previous agreements (signed between the two countries) and increase cooperation in various spheres.”

Iran-Ecuador cooperation will help efforts to establish world peace and strengthen international security, the two presidents emphasized.

They cited the areas of energy, industry, banking, investment, tourism, and information technology as important avenues for cooperation.

Correa said Ecuador wants to expand ties with Iran to the fullest possible extent.

The Ecuadorian president’s visit to Tehran is a sign of the growing ties between Iran and Latin American countries.

Source: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=184168