MOSCOW -- Ukraine's Minister of Agricultural Policy Serhiy Ryzhuk in Kiev on Saturday called for expansion of mutual trade exchanges as well as bilateral cooperation to that effect with the Islamic Republic of Iran, IRNA reported.

Ryzhuk who was meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Ukraine Ahmad Sadeqbonab voiced Kiev's readiness to broaden mutual cooperation with Tehran in the agricultural sector and livestock affairs.

He reiterated that Ukraine will soon introduce members of the Ukraine-Iran Joint Expert Committee on agricultural affairs.

Sadeqbonab, for his part, recalled the potentials of the two countries in the agricultural sector, and voiced Iran's willingness to boost mutual cooperation in all areas.

He pointed to the visit of President Khatami to Kiev in the current year, and stressed the need to set up a joint expert committee on agricultural affairs.