Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s budget for the new Iranian year, which starts on 21 March, will be 20 per cent bigger than last year, at $304bn compared with $253bn.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Similar to other years, Iranians all across the country celebrated the ancient Persian tradition of Last-Wednesday-of-the-Year Fireworks (Chaharshanbeh Souri) as a prelude to Nowruz (the start of the new year).

TEHRAN (FNA)- Switzerland and Iran signed a huge deal on Monday for the supply of Iranian natural gas to Europe, sparking harsh criticism from the United States.

Iran is seriously concerned about human rights violations in Europe especially those Muslim prisoners in certain European countries, Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki said here on Monday in a meeting with his Swiss counterpart Micheline Calmy-Rey.

Cultural and religious affinities have linked Iran and Pakistan as to neighbors. Politically, the two countries also share common views toward many regional and international issues and the two sides have been pushing for settling regional conflicts through dialogue.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator and Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Saeed Jalili met with Switzerland’s visiting Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey here on Tuesday.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s unlimited waters in the south have provided its citizens even in the oil-rich Khuzestan province with a good opportunity to make a living through fishing.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran plans to set up a television network and has signed joint projects worth $1 billion with Bolivia – efforts that reflect a growing relationship between the two energy-rich nations.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is showing interest in building a cement plant in Uruguay and signing an agreement with that South American nation based on the exchange of oil for rice.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s industries and mines minister and Congo’s energy minister signed a cooperation protocol agreement.