04 March 2004 – The Foreign Minister of Iran, Dr. Kamal Kharrazi will be visiting the country from 7 to 8 March 2004 to meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert who is scheduled to arrive from her trip to Vietnam tomorrow.

The Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit was set to reciprocate two visits to Iran made by the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople last year.

Secretary Albert will discuss with Foreign Minister Kharrazi the Philippine’s bilateral relations with Iran, which the Secretary describes as “warm and friendly.”

The two countries spearheaded a conference in Makati City last year, which sought to promote a dialogue between civilizations. The parties adopted a joint declaration known as the “Makati Declaration”, which called for all governments and civil societies to actively promote a policy of genuine and sincere dialogue among and within nations that would lead to respect for and appreciation of cultural diversity.

Iran is also a strong supporter of the Philippines’ bid for observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Though the Philippines had missed an opportunity to become an observer state in the OIC last year, Secretary Albert said that she is confident that with the renewed support of countries like Iran, the Philippines may yet gain observer status membership within the largest and most politically significant group of Islamic nations.

Secretary Albert will also thank the Foreign Minister for Iran’s support for the Philippine’s successful bid as a Non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Dr. Kharrazi is a founding member of the Islamic Research Institute in London and a member of the American Association of University Professors. He was admitted to the New York Academy of Science in 1994. He holds a master’s degree in education from Tehran University, where he also received his undergraduate education. He has been a professor of Management and Educational Psychology at Tehran University since 1983. He was appointed as Iran’s Foreign Minister in 1977. - END