TEHRAN – Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati met culture ministers of Bangladesh, Thailand and Ukraine on the sidelines of the Silk Road International Cultural Expo, which opened on Tuesday in the Chinese city of Dunhuang, Gansu Province.

In his meeting with Cultural Affairs Minister of Bangladesh Asaduzzaman Noor, Jannati and his counterpart stressed on bilateral cultural cooperation, the Persian service of IRNA reported on Wednesday.

Jannati hoped that the two Muslim countries can boost their relations in different arenas, adding, “Iran has established active cultural centers in Dhaka and has good relations with different cultural and academic centers there.”

He also remarked that Iran welcomes any programs helping to familiarize Iranians with the culture of Bangladesh, adding, “We are ready to establish a cultural center of Bangladesh, while holding a Bangladesh cultural week will also be welcomed.”

For his part Minister Asaduzzaman Noor said that there needs to be greater efforts to develop ties, adding that his country would like to hold a cultural festival of Iranian films.

The two also discussed the translation of Persian books into Bengali and the opposite.

Noor also invited Jannati to visit Bangladesh at any appropriate time.

Moreover, Jannati held talks with Vira Rojpojchanarat, Minister of Culture of Thailand and said that Iran is ready to cooperate in different fields such as film and TV series exchange, exhibition of artworks, as well as holding cultural weeks. 

Vira Rojpojchanarat expressed willingness to boost ties with Iran as a country with a long history and civilization.

In his brief words with Yevhen Nyshchuk, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture, Jannati said that Iran is ready to boost cultural, educational and academic relations with Ukraine.

Jannati at the head of a cultural delegation arrived in China on Monday to attend the two-day expo upon invitation from his Chinese counterpart.

The expo has been arranged to help boost cultural exchanges and cooperation among countries and regions along the Silk Road, and promote the Silk Road spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit.”

RM/YAW