ISFAHAN Isfahan of Iran and ST. Petersburg of Russia became sister cities under an agreement signed by the two cities' officials Sunday. The document, which is written in three Persian, Russian and English languages, was signed for Iran by Isfahan's Mayor Mohammad Javadi and ST. Petersburg's first Vice-Governor. Isfahan has already become sister city of Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia, Florence of Italy and Xian of China. The Russian official said both of these two cities were once capitals and are of outstanding historic, cultural and industrial importance.

Under the sisterhood agreement the two countries firms and institutions can boost closer cooperation, said ST. Petersburg's Vice-Governor who arrived here Friday. He also told IRNA that one of the future goals of ST. Petersburg officials is to set up Isfahan's chamber of commerce in ST. Petersburg with the assistance of the mayor of Isfahan. (IRNA)