TEHRAN Iranian Vice President Hassan Habibi here on Monday held talks with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on development of Tehran-Minsk cooperation. Habibi said important steps have been taken to enhance mutual relations and boost trade between the two countries. Pointing to the illegitimate presence of external forces in the region, Habibi said Tehran regards the current crises in the region as having roots in presence of foreign powers and the two independent states of Iran and Belarus are required to severely cooperate to end the presence of the aliens especially the U.S. in the region.

Habibi expressed pleasure with the common stand adopted by Iran and Belarus toward the international issues. He hoped that the exchange visits of officials of the two countries would serve to explore new grounds for mutual cooperation. Lukashenko welcomed expansion of relations between the two countries and said Belarus has held important negotiations with Iran and made progress beyond expectation concerning cooperation in various grounds.

He said Iran and Belarus had good cooperation over international issues indicating the resolve of the two countries to further upgrade bilateral relations. Lukashenko voiced his country's determination to have close cooperation with Iran in all areas and hoped for increasing Tehran-Minsk trade ties. (IRNA)