TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Interior Minister Mostafa Pur-Mohammadi here Wednesday underlined that the ninth government attempts to safeguard the national cultural heritage and develop tourism.

He made the remark at Majlis open session. He attended today's session to respond to the question of MP from Tabriz, Akbar A'lami.

In response to the MP's question about the reason for the failure to introduce properly the tourist attractions of East Azarbaijan Province to its enthusiasts based on the relevant cultural heritage and tourism laws, the minister urged, "Everyone is bound to safeguard this heritage, in particular the officials in charge. "Given the high significance of cultural heritage and tourism for the nation, the ninth government has taken extensive measures to safeguard the country's cultural heritage and tourism."

Pur-Mohammadi said over the past 16 months, the ninth government has approved 220 cases of protection of cultural heritage and development of tourism nationwide.

"Besides, 201 exemplary tourist areas have been indicated so far and a complete atlas on tourism and safeguarding cultural heritage is now being compiled," he added.

The minister expounded on the measures taken toward protection of the cultural heritage of northeastern East Azarbaijan Province and said that six protection bases have so far been established in the provincial cities.

He noted that East Azarbaijan has been one of the most successful provinces in this regard.

The minister referred to the required credit allocated to protection of Alishah Citadel in the provincial capital of Tabriz, putting this year's credit at 70.2 billion rials.