TEHRAN Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi Wednesday in Cartagena, Colombia, met with counterparts from various countries on the sidelines of the foreign ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). During a meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Camilo Reyes, the two officials underlined the need to promote the two countries' political and economic relations. Briefing Kharrazi on his country's vast potentials, reyes stressed the importance of bilateral commercial ties with Iran. Kharrazi voiced Iran's readiness to exchange trade delegations with Colombia and to set up a trade bureau in that country.

In his meeting with Kharrazi, the Indonesian minister of foreign affairs, Ali Alatas commented on latest economic and political developments in his country. Expressing regret over the economic crisis in Indonesia which was followed by social and political turmoil, the Iranian foreign minister announced his country's willingness to further promote Tehran-Jakarta cooperation. Meanwhile, deputy foreign minister of Panama, Cardenas told Kharrazi that his country is interested in expansion of trade with the Islamic Republic. He expressed satisfaction with Iran's participation in recent international trade exhibitions in Panama. In another development Kharrazi met with Qatari state minister in charge of foreign affairs, Ahmad Abdullah Mahmoud. The latest regional developments, expansion of bilateral relations and implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries were discussed by the two officials.

The fall in oil price as well as the need for regional cooperation to counter the oil crisis were also discussed in the meeting. (IRNA)