Iran and Ecuador to strengthen ties

Tehran, Dec 7 (IANS) Iran and Ecuador will open embassies in each other's country in January to consolidate diplomatic ties, official IRNA news agency reported Sunday.

This was announced by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his visiting Ecuadoran counterpart Rafael Correa during a joint press conference Saturday following their meeting here.

During their talks the two presidents agreed to establish cooperation in various fields like energy, industry, banking, investments and tourism.

The Ecuadoran president arrived Friday night in Tehran on his first state visit to the Islamic state.

Ahmadinejad said that 'although the two countries began their relations only a short while ago, Iran is interested in expanding those ties in every respect.'

Bilateral cooperation between Iran and Ecuador will be in the interest of the two countries, Ahmadinejad said.