Damascus, March 30, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Cuban counterpart, Felipe Perez Roque, here on Saturday called for expansion of bilateral ties between the two states.

During the meeting which was held on the sidelines of the 20th Summit of leaders of Arab states being held in the Syrian capital, the two officials underscored the need for further promotion of mutual economic cooperation.

The two foreign ministers also agreed on the date of holding foreign ministers meeting of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Tehran in late July 2008.

In related developments, Mottaki conferred with Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, Abdul- Rahman al-Attiya on Saturday.

The two officials underscored the need for start of negotiations on free trade between Iran and the PGCC states.

The Iranian foreign minister then invited al-Attiya to pay a visit to Tehran in the near future to follow up the discussion.

Mottaki arrived in Damascus Friday evening to attend the Arab states summit.

... Payvand News - 03/30/08 ... --