Tehran, February 1, The Iran Project – In a meeting between a visiting delegation form Vatican Pilgrimage Office and Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs Organization, two sides agreed to enhance religious and cultural tourism.

In meeting with the head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs Organization Hojjatoleslam Seyed Ali Qazi Asgar on Monday in Tehran, the director of Vatican's office of pilgrimage who is heading a visiting delegation noted the Iran's tourist attractions for foreign visitors, saying that each year millions of Iranian and foreigners visit Iran's tourist destinations which contain the religious, ethical, spiritual and cultural aspects.

Referring to the commonalities between Islam and Christianity in norms and pilgrimage rituals, the Vatican official hoped that the delegation's visit prepare the ground for the promotion of ties between two great civilization of Iran and Italy.

The Vatican official also stressed the pilgrimage trips as an opportunity to get to know the different cultures and religions which pave the way for promoting dialogue and peace among nations.

Elsewhere in this meeting, which was also attended by Saeed Ohadi, the chairman of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and Mohammad Taher Rabanni, Iran's Ambassador to Vatican, Ali Qazi Asgar pointed the recent President Rouhani's successful visit to Italy, highlighting the bright future of two countries' ties in religious, cultural and historical tourism.

Underlining the importance of present situation for all the religious believers, two sides also put emphasis on the role of mutual dialogue and cooperation in confronting the extremism and terrorism in the world.