KUALA LUMPUR -- Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Thursday stressed the need for expansion of relations between Canberra and Tehran in all areas.

Pointing to Iran's significant role in the Middle East, he expressed satisfaction with the growing trend of bilateral ties between the two sides.

In a meeting with outgoing Iranian ambassador to Australia, Gholam-Ali Khoshrou at the end of latter's tenure, Downer said that his country is interested in expansion of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, IRNA reported.

"Further exchange of high-ranking political, economic and cultural delegations has led both countries to have a better understanding of each other," the Australian minister said.

He expressed hope that Australian companies would play an active role in Iran's economic and industrial projects in the near future.

Khoshrou, for his part, stressed Iran's foreign policy of detente and promotion of cooperation with all countries and termed Australian role in Asia and the Pacific as "important".

He termed exchange of political delegations as well as the establishment of Iran-Australia parliamentary friendship group as measures taken by Iran to expand ties in all fields With Australia.

The Iranian diplomat pointed to Iran's rich culture and its unique tourist attractions and expressed hope that Australians would travel to Iran more frequently.