Iranian minister urges enhanced cultural ties with Algeria

Iran’s Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Ali Jannati on Monday underscored the expansion of cultural interactions between Tehran and Algiers in different areas.

In a meeting with Algerian Ambassador to Iran Ahriz Abdelmoun’aam, Jannati referred to a cultural agreement made in the past between the two countries and called for further cultural exchanges.

“The cultural capacities of the two countries should always be tapped for the expansion of cooperation,” he said, adding that Iran and Algeria can hold “cultural weeks” to help their nations get more familiar with the traditions of the other side.

Jannati also stressed the necessity for attending international book fairs in both countries and exchanging artists in different fields such as music, painting, and cinema.

He also hailed the long history of friendly relations between Iran and Algeria, saying, “The two countries have always had good ties and cooperation in international and regional bodies including OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation), UNESCO, and ISESCO.”

The meeting came one month after Iranian Ambassador to Algeria Reza Ameri and Algerian Minister of Culture Azzedine Mihoubi called for enhanced cultural relations between the two countries.

Mihoubi said at the time that his country attaches special significance to relations with Iran, and called for further cooperation between the two countries on cinema and repairing and preserving artistic works and manuscripts in Algeria, some of which are in Persian language.