ROME (IRNA) -- Iran's Ambassador to Tunisia Baqer Sakhaei said in Tunis Saturday that Tunisia is a gate for Iran's economic presence in the European Union and Africa.

Sakhaei said Tunisia could be an important terminal for export of Iranian goods to the EU states regarding removal of customs tariffs between Tunisia and the EU until 2007.

Promotion of goods manufacturing in Tunisia based on the European standards and activation of 2,600 Western companies in that country would pave suitable grounds for further economic presence of Iran in Tunisia, he added.

He noted that Iran could enjoy Tunisia's great potentials to enhance its economic activities in Africa given the deep-rooted ties between Iran and the African states, commonalities and religious bonds.

The ambassador said the volume of Iran's export to Tunisia reached from three to seven million dollars in the current year.

Sakhaei said Iran seeks to set up a trade exhibition of Iranian goods in Tunisia. He said close political ties as well as 30 agreements and memoranda of understanding that Iran and Tunisia have already signed are among suitable grounds for expansion of bilateral cooperation.

He further stated that Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi's visit to Iran two years ago, Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Aref's visit to Tunisia last year and the two countries' joint economic commission held in Tehran four months ago have set the stage for expansion of economic ties between Tehran and Tunis.

The official stressed that Iran can enjoy great experiences of Tunisia in various fields of tourism industry.