Cyprus, Iran Sign Shipping Cooperation Agreement, Anti-Drug Memo

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, July 04, 2002

Cyprus, Iran Sign Shipping Cooperation Agreement, Anti-Drug Memo

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Cyprus and Iran on Wednesday signed an agreement on cooperation in commercial shipping.

The agreement was signed by visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi and Cypriot Communications and Works Minister Averof Neophytou.

Neophytou said that after the signing ceremony Cyprus has one ofthe largest fleets in the world and the signing of the agreement inthe shipping sector gives an advantage to ships flying the Cypriot flag.

Cyprus would soon sign an agreement on shipping with Belgium andan air transport agreement with Moldavia, he added.

On Wednesday, Cyprus and Iran also signed a memorandum of understanding on the combat against illicit trafficking of narcoticdrugs and psycho trophic substances.

The memorandum was signed by Kharazi and Cypriot Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis.

Koshis said Cyprus and Iran have decided to join efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psycho trophicsubstances.

He said both Cyprus and Iran are sensitive in the field and recognize "the great importance of international cooperation in theeffective prevention and fight against this form of crime in particular."

Kharazi said Iran, a country neighboring Afghanistan, has been facing the problem of drug trafficking "for many years."

He said that "Afghan drug traffickers have tried to transfer their drugs to European countries through the Iranian territory."

"So far, more than 3,000 soldiers have been killed" in the fightagainst drugs, said Kharazi, adding that "signing such an agreementbetween Iran and Cyprus as well as between Iran and other countrieswill help cooperation in the severe fight against drug trafficking."

Kharazi arrived in Cyprus on Tuesday for a two-day official visit. On the same day, Kharazi and Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides signed an agreement on cultural, educational andscientific cooperation between the two countries.

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