Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, heading a high-ranking political-economic delegation, left Tehran for the Austrian capital city of Vienna on Monday. Khatami's two-nation European tour is also scheduled to take him to Greece later on this week.
The Iranian president was seen off at the Mehrabad International Airport by First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref, Head of the Leader's Office Hojatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, a number of cabinet ministers, and several Majlis deputies, according to IRNA.
The visits take place at the official invitations of Austrian President Thomas Klestil and his Greek counterpart Costis Stephanopoulos.
In Vienna, Khatami is due to meet with Klestil and Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, Parliament Speaker Heinz Fisher and heads of political parties. He will also deliver a speech at a conference of Austrian thinkers on the issue of Dialogue among Civilizations.
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and Minister of Industries and Mines are accompanying President Khatami during his Austria visit.
In Greece, the Iranian president is due to meet with Greek President Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis and some of the cultural and political figures. He is also expected to deliver a lecture among Greek intellectuals and academicians. Khatami will later attend ceremonies to pay homage to the memory of the "unknown soldier" and receive the "Athens' golden key" from the city's mayor.
Kharrazi and Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh will accompany the Iranian president in his visit to Greece. (Albawaba.com)
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