The agreement, signed by Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization Hossein Marashi and Head of Louvre Museum Henry Loyrette, has underlined the need to promote cultural cooperation and hold joint research and scientific conferences by Iran and France.

The Louvre authorities are ready to hold an exhibition of Iran's antique works in France, Loyrette told reporters.

He added that holding cultural and art exhibitions in France is considered a good opportunity to introduce Iran's civilization and art in France.

He added music concerts and scientific meetings are to be held on the sidelines of the exhibitions in France.

The Louvre Museum is also to arrange an exhibition in Iran to showcase some its art works and antique items, said Loyrette.

Campaigning against illegal transfer of cultural works and supporting the return of discovered artistic works based on the 1970 Convention of the UNESCO are among important points mentioned in the agreement.

Based on the agreement, Louvre Museum is to dispatch its experts to Iran for archaeological excavation in Iran.

Iran and France are to hold short-term vocational courses as well as exhibitions dubbed 'Hakhamanesh, the Emperor' and 'Safavid art' in 2007, according to the agreement.

The two countries are also scheduled to exchange books, catalogues, and periodicals of their countries' museums.

An ad-hoc committee, including six experts from Iran and France, are to follow up the provisions of the agreement.

Over 50 percent of the Islamic works kept in Louvre museum are from Iran.

Louvre Museum, an establishment, in which a collection of works of art, items of historical, aesthetic or scientific interest are preserved and exhibited.

Established in 1793 by the French Republic, the Louvre Museum is one of the earliest European museums.

Divided into seven departments, the Louvre collections incorporate works dating from the birth of the great antique civilization right up to the first half of the XIXth century, thereby confirming its encyclopedic vocation.