Iran-Europe trade exchange increased by 10pc in 2008: official

A Foreign Ministry official announced on Monday that Iran-Europe trade exchanges were increased by 10 percent in 2008. Houshang Karimi, Foreign Ministry Director-General in charge of European foundations, made the announcement while addressing a group of university students in this southwestern provincial capital city.

He added that the volume of trade exchanges between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the 27 European states (EU member states) reached 26 billion euros in 2008 despite the economic sanctions imposed on Iran.

Expansion of relations with all world countries, except the Zionist regime, on the basis of justice and peace is a priority of the Iranian government, he said.

Karimi reiterated that the Islamic Republic has proved to the world nations that it follows an independent foreign policy.