Iranian foreign minister stresses boosting ties in meeting with new Bolivian president.

La Paz, November 8 (RHC)-- Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has met with Bolivia's new president Luis Arce, underlining the need for expanding relations with the South American country.

Zarif arrived in Bolivia on Saturday on the last leg of his three-nation Latin America tour that had already taken him to Venezuela and Cuba.  He attended Arce’s swearing-in ceremony on Sunday.

In a post on his Twitter account, the top Iranian diplomat said: “Just arrived in La Paz, to celebrate with Bolivians the fruits of their struggle to restore their democracy.  And honored to participate in inauguration of President Arce on Sun.”

“Great to witness the joy people exhibit celebrating their restoration of liberty & democracy,” he added.  

In another tweet, Zarif noted that he had exchanged views with Arce and Bolivia’s vice president-elect David Choquehuanca on ways to develop political and economic ties between Tehran and La Paz.  “Just met with President-elect Luis Arce and Vice President-elect David Choquehuanca of Bolivia. Conveyed my country’s congratulations on their victory and wished them and the nation the best,” he said.

“We discussed our brotherly ties—political and economic—and ways to expand them.”

Luis Arce, for his part, thanked Zarif for visiting Bolivia, saying his country intends to enhance relations with the Islamic Republic.  

From Tehran, Iran’s President Rouhani said his country is ready to revive relations and expand cooperation with the new Bolivian government.