TEHRAN -- Romanian Ambassador to Tehran Nicolae Stan voiced optimism about bright bilateral relations of Iran and his country.

Speaking to the English-language daily 'iran news' printed on sunday, he underlined the need for exchange of more visits between the two countries senior officials in order to help further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas.

romanian parliament speaker valer dorneanw is due to visit iran in the next april, he said, adding that a romanian delegation comprising members of the two countries joint economic commission will also visit the islamic republic of iran by the end of january 2003 headed by dan ioan popescu, the minister of industry and resources of romania.

recalling the visit to his country by the iranian majlis speaker mehdi karroubi in october 2001, stan said it was a positive trip in line with upgrading irano-romanian relations.

meanwhile, the romanian envoy said that the romanian foreign minister mircca geoana will visit iran in mid january in response to a visit by the iranian minister of foreign affairs kamal kharrazi.

irano-romanian commercial relations are also on the right path, he said, adding that pipe, timber, woodwork products, and electrical equipment are romania's main exports to iran.

some 5,000 iranians are currently living in romania who do business and really feel at home there, he said and added that some 100 romanians are living a happy life in iran.