TEHRAN The Islamic Republic of Iran and Djibouti on Tuesday evening issued a joint communique on issues of mutual interest and ways of expanding bilateral relations.

The communique was issued at the end of a three-day visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi to the African State of Djibouti.

The joint communique was signed by Djibouti Foreign Minister Ali Abdi Farah and his Iranian counterpart Kharrazi.

Stressing on Friendly ties between Iran and Djibouti, the statement voiced their political desire for further expansion of relations as well as formation of committees to promote political, economic, commercial and industrial cooperation between the two sides.

Also, Iranian foreign minister wound up a five-day two-nation regional and African tour and returned home on Wednesday morning.

The foreign minister that paid visits to Yemen and Djibouti termed his trips successful.

Foreign Minister Kharrazi made the visits at invitations extended by the foreign ministers of Yemen and Djibouti.

Meanwhile, Kharrazi on Tuesday met Djibouti President Ismael Omar Gelleh and conveyed Iran's President Mohammad Khatami's message of friendship and brotherhood to his Djibouti counterpart.

Gelleh appreciated the special attention given by the Islamic Republic of Iran to expansion of cooperation with Djibouti and said as an Islamic country in Africa, Djibouti has always appreciated Iran's efforts in promoting the role Islamic countries can play in the international arena.

He announced Djibouti's readiness for ever strengthening of friendship and solidarity between the two countries and vowed to try his best to this end.