TEHRAN -- The managing director of the Austrian Red Cross praised the Iranian Red Crescent Society for providing humanitarian assistance to Afghan and Iraqi refugees.

Heinz Polzer met Iranian Ambassador Ebrahim Rahimpour in Vienna on Monday and said, "Tehran has cooperated a great deal with international organizations and the Prisoners of War (POW) Committee and has taken positive steps in facilitating POW exchanges in Afghanistan and Iraq." He also mentioned the various humanitarian activities of the Red Crescent and Red Cross organizations.

Pointing out the expansion of Iran-Austria ties, Polzer said that the Austrian Red Cross is prepared to train Iranian professionals in first aid and blood transfusion procedures.

Rahimpour also gave a report on the regional crisis and the situation of the large number of refugees.

He underlined the importance of resettling and providing job opportunities for the refugees and said that Iran has allocated $560 million for reconstruction of Afghanistan, saying this shows that Tehran is the most important donor.

He spoke of Tehran-Vienna bilateral ties, adding that Tehran is interested in strengthening ties between the Austrian Red Cross and the Iranian Red Crescent in the field of training.