Iran official in NZ for 'co-operation' talks

Iran's acting deputy foreign minister for Asia and Pacific affairs has arrived in New Zealand to attend cooperation talks.

The minister, Seyed Mohammad Ali Hossaini, is taking part in the third meeting of the New Zealand-Iran Political and Economic Cooperation Commission (PECC).

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the PECC allowed senior government officials and business community members from both counties to "engage over trade and political issues of mutual interest and concern".

A Tehran news agency reported on its english-language website that Mr Hossaini would meet Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and would deliver a speech at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

Iran-New Zealand trade was about $170 million in 2007.

- NZPA