President Mohammad Khatami is to leave Tehran for Caracas Thursday to attend the Group-15 summit to open on the same day, IRNA reported from Tehran.

The visit takes place at the official invitation of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

President Khatami is to deliver a key-note speech at the conference on expansion of mutual and regional cooperation as well as bolstering ties and cooperation within international organizations.

Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Minister of Industries and Mines Es'haq Jahangiri and a number of deputy ministers will accompany President Khatami during the visit.