Iran, Greek governments keen on cultural-artistic ties

Greek Ambassador to Tehran Georgios Ayfantis on Sunday held talks with Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati on ways to expand cultural and artistic ties, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Ali Jannati told Georgios Ayfantis that the two countries have cultural commonalties and extensive artistic capacities and should develop cultural ties.

He said that Iran and Greece enjoy longstanding political and cultural relations and have signed cultural contracts more than 60 years ago.

Jannati said that upon the contract, the two countries would have held cultural events at least every two-year, but, the contract is currently not implemented.

He said that many of Greek philosophers have inspired philosophy in Iran and that Tehran and Athens have developed traditional understanding in light of philosophy, the common interest of the Iranian and Greek scholars.

Jannati said that the Islamic Republic of iran is willing to develop tourism cooperation with Greece.

Jannati said that the international peace and security has been subject to the threat posed by extremism and unfortunately in some cases are under the name of Islam and campaign against such danger and the deviated thoughts needs international cooperation.

Greece ambassador Georgios Ayfantis said that Iran and Greece have influenced international community and the new culture minister of Greece intends to expand cultural ties with the other states.

The ambassador condemned extremism and barbaric acts of the Daesh terror group. He added that religion and faith are instruments to bring the human communities closer to each other, not for creating a wall between nations.