TEHRAN -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here Wednesday conferred with his Greek counterpart, Georgios Papandreous, on issues of mutual concern.

Expressing his concern over the continuing repressive policies of the racist Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Kharrazi stressed that respect for the rights of the Palestinians is most crucial for a restoration of peace to the region.

At the meeting, Kharrazi praised the active role of the European Union in trying to resolve the critical issues facing the Middle East, IRNA reported.

He expressed hope that once the issue of Palestine is resolved all religious sects such as Muslims, Christians and Jewish can live side by side in peace.

Referring to current development in Afghanistan and the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the restoration of stability in the region, he said, "Our present great concern is to restore peace and tranquility to war-ravaged Afghanistan."

Taking into account the deep ties of friendship that binds the Iranian and Afghan nations, he said Iran will spare no efforts in coordinating with the Afghan interim government in efforts to rebuild the country.

Expressing satisfaction over the expanding Tehran-Athens wide-ranging relations, he said the recent signing of five cooperation agreements is proof of the determination and willingness of both sides to enhance mutual relations.

Welcoming the proposal forwarded by the Greek foreign minister for an expansion of judiciary cooperation, he said the exchange of judiciary delegations from both sides is an initial step in the furtherance of such cooperation.

The Greek foreign minister, for his part, voiced willingness to expand political, economic and cultural relations with Iran and reiterated that "Greece welcomes expansion of ties with Iran."

Referring to his country's upcoming chairmanship of the European Union, he expressed hope that during its stint Greece would be able to take effective steps to expand Iran's relations with the EU.

At the meeting, the two sides also underlined the need for expansion of cultural relations as well as the need to promote the "Dialogue Among Civilizations" proposal.

Describing the current situation in the Middle East as "critical," he underlined the need for finding ways of restoring peace in the region.

Highlighting recent developments in Afghanistan, he lauded the Islamic Republic for its role in sheltering millions of Afghan refugees who fled the country during years of hardship and domination.