Rouhani Calls for Broadening Iran-Japan Economic Ties

(FNA)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in New York underlined Tehran's resolve to strengthen all-out relations with Tokyo, and invited Japan to play a bigger role in Iran's economy.

"Iran considers Japan as its friend," President Rouhani said during the meeting on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Rouhani said Iran invites Japan to have a more active role in its market.

The Iranian president underlined Iran-Japan cooperation in environment protection, specially in management of water shortage.

Rouhani also called for regular consultations between Iranian and Japanese foreign ministers on regional issues, specially on international campaign against terrorism.

Abe for his part invited President Rouhani to take part in an upcoming Conference on the Environment and Crisis Management slated for March, 2015 in Japan.

Diplomatic relations between Iran and Japan were formally established in 1926 and the two countries have maintained friendly and strong cooperation in various arenas throughout the history.

The two countries' officials have held talks in different economic, trade, political and cultural fields in recent years to explore new ways of expanding bilateral ties.

Iran is one of the main oil suppliers to Japan.

In June, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Nobuo Kishi in a meeting in Tehran discussed different avenues for the further expansion of relations and cooperation between the two Asian states.

During the meeting, Zarif said that Tehran is prepared to boost bilateral relations with Japan, and welcomed the Tokyo government's efforts to help enhance cooperation in different fields.

Kishi, for his part, submitted the written message of the Japanese prime minister for President Rouhani, which ensures the Japanese government's resolve to boost cooperation with Iran in areas of mutual interest, and underlined his government's willingness to promote bilateral ties with Iran.

He also hailed the Iranian administration for its efforts to create an atmosphere of international confidence and adopting new approach regarding foreign policy.