TEHRAN -- Iran and Algeria’s relations are based on cultural ties, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said here on Tuesday at a meeting with Algerian Culture Minister Khalida Toumi.

“Maintaining cultural ties helps establish peace and brotherhood among people, because political and economic relations are preludes to development of cultural ties,” Ahmadinejad stated.
Iran sees no limit in expanding ties with Algeria, and is interested to improve relations in all areas, he noted.
“We should help one another to show Islam’s true face to the world, and provide Islamic solutions to the world crises,” he suggested.
Toumi, who is in Tehran to attend Algeria’s cultural week, stated that considering the great cultural and religious similarities between the two countries, Algeria is very interested in expanding ties with Tehran.
“We are proud to have relations with such a civilized and advanced country,” she noted.
Algeria’s cultural week that started on May 3 and will end on May 9, is being held in Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural Center featuring several programs including film screening, music performances, displaying Algerian handicrafts, and holding visual arts exhibitions