First Deputy Foreign Morteza Sarmadi held meetings with a number of foreign ambassadors in Tehran on Sunday.
In a meeting with Christian Barros, the new accredited Chilean ambassador to Iran, Morteza Sarmadi said, "Iran is willing to resume and expand political, cultural, parliamentary and economic relations, particularly in mines and metals, with Chile," IRNA reported.
Highlighting Iran's key position in the Middle East and West Asia and Chile's status in the Latin America, Sarmadi stressed the need for improvement of bilateral relations in various spheres.
Barros, for his part, expressed hope that during his term in office the two countries would try to boost bilateral relations to "a level which demands the presence of a resident ambassador in Iran."
He also called for increased cooperation and consultations between the two countries on various international issues.
The Chilean ambassador submitted a copy of his credentials to the first deputy foreign minister.
In a separate development, the new accredited Laotian ambassador to Tehran met with Sarmadi and submitted a copy of his credentials to him, IRNA reported. The deputy foreign minister referred to the "historic" and "positive" relations between the two countries and highlighted the common stance Iran and Laos take on various issues.
Sarmadi expressed hope the new ambassador would help promote bilateral ties between the two states. The Laotian envoy, for his part, stressed the need to establish embassies in both countries, adding, "I try to develop a mechanism to expand bilateral relations and prepare the ground for increased economic ties through cooperation within the framework of regional organizations."
Sarmadi also met with Jo In Chols, the outgoing North Korean ambassador to Tehran, on Sunday.
He praised the efforts of the North Korean envoy and said, "The relations between Iran and North Korea are of high significance and it is necessary to promote relations in all areas and in particular in the economic sphere," IRNA reported.
The North Korean official briefed the first deputy foreign minister on the efforts he made to help enhance bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries during his tenure.
Jo In Chols praised Iran's "firm" and "clear" stance on key global issues.
