China and Iran on April 23 agreed to carry out more cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative as foreign ministers of the two countries met in Athens.

The consensus came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif ahead of the Ancient Civilization Forum which is to open on April 24.

The forum, a Greek initiative with China as co-organizer, is attended by both China and Iran as well as other countries representing major ancient civilizations throughout the world. The other participants include Bolivia, Egypt, India, Iraq, Italy, Mexico and Peru.

Wang said that the Sino-Iranian comprehensive strategic partnership has been developing in a steady fashion as the bilateral cooperation in areas including economic and trade, investment and people-to-people exchange is deepening.

He said China stands ready to expand cooperation with Iran under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Zarif, on his part, said that Iran welcomes and supports the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by the Chinese side and is willing to promote its development through the Ancient Civilization Forum so as to achieve common development.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2017)