ATHENS -- Head of the Greek National Library Jurgus Zakhous said that his library is willing to cooperate with the National Library of Iran in a meeting with Iran's Cultural Attach to Athens, Seyed Mohammad Reza Darbandi.

Referring to the long history of Iran-Greece comprehensive relations, Zakhous said: "Iran, like Greece, has an ancient civilization and a rich cultural background, and that is why the Greek National Library wishes to expand ties with the National Library of Iran, where it hopes to get access to unique cultural and civilization sources."

He praised the National Library of Iran for its rich resources, its brilliant past record of cultural contributions to global community, and possession of rich cultural, scientific, Iranian and Islamic archives.

The Iranian cultural attach, too, welcomed the idea, further stressing that it is a necessity of the day, keeping in mind the excellent existing cultural ties between the two countries in all possible levels.

Darbandi added, "In order to expand such relations practically and accelerate the cultural exchanges between the two countries' National Libraries, it is suggestible to sign a contract in which the details of such a cooperation would be clearly drafted."