Iran and Italy, though they are very different societies, can agree on a "minimal common basis" for their concept of freedom, Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato said late Saturday in Tehran at the end of his meeting with President Mohammed Khatami, according to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA).
"Even two different societies can have a minimal common basis on the idea of freedom," said the Italian premier, who was on an official visit to Tehran.
Amato spoke at a news conference just before leaving the country, and said he agreed with Khatami that "there were different possible approaches to freedom," said the agency.
Both leaders said that their two countries wanted to develop bilateral relations, IRNA said.
Amato emphasized that Italy is highly interested in establishing joint industrial firms with Iran, saying that he discussed with Khatami ways of encouraging investments in both countries.
During his meeting with Amato, Khatami said, "Iran shakes hands with countries which want to develop bilateral relations with Tehran on a basis of mutual respect."
Amato was greeted on his arrival Saturday by Iranian Industry Minister Ishagh Jahanghiri, who is also chairman of the Iranian-Italian economic commission.
According to official Italian sources, the visit was to be of an exclusively political nature, following on the heels of visits by Italy's Industry Minister Enrico Letta earlier this week and of its interior minister, Enzo Bianco, in January, said AFP.
Italy is Iran's leading western European trading partner, with commerce between the two countries estimated at around 2.5 billion dollars, said AFP.
Italy has bolstered ties with Tehran since Khatami visited Rome in March 1999 – Albawaba.com
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