TEHRAN -- Iran's Vice-President Mohammadreza Aref arrives in Tunis here Wednesday morning to further bolster ties between Tehran and Tunis, which have warmed up over recent years after a near decade-long freeze.

The visit takes place on the invitation of Tunisian Prime Minister Muhammad Ghannouchi and Aref is expected to also discuss the prevailing Iraqi crisis with that country's officials after a whistle-stop visit on his way to Athens where he will meet Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

"Ties between Iran and Tunisia have seen many ups and downs, but they have been improving over recent years and the will of the two countries' leaders is to boost relations in all fields," Aref told reporters at Mehrabad Airport before his departure, IRNA reported.

"Tunisia's strategic position in the Mediterranean and North Africa and its membership in international organizations as well as expansion of the Islamic culture in the Black Continent have lent a special standing to Tunisia," he added.

The Iranian vice-president is expected to hold talks with Tunisian President Zine al-Abedine ben Ali, Prime Minister Ghannouchi and head of the country's National Assembly.

The visit takes place in response to Ghannouchi's visit to the Islamic Republic in April 2001 which was the first by a high-ranking official of that country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tunis and Tehran severed diplomatic relations in the 1980s before resuming them when Iran named its former Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mahmoud Mohammadi, as its ambassador to that country in 1997.

Iran and Tunisia also signed an agreement to increase bilateral trade, which amounted to $73 million in 2000.

Tunisia mostly sells phosphate and sulfur products to Iran.

Aref said "We will follow up earlier agreements and tackle obstacles if there are any".

Air transportation, customs, environment and petrochemicals are among potential fields for cooperation between Iran and Tunisia.