FNA - Spanish Ambassador to Tehran Eduardo Lopez Busquets underlined the need for setting up Iran-Madrid direct flights to expand tourism ties between the two countries.

"During my visits to Iran, I have paid attention to this fact that Madrid-Iran flights should be launched," Busquets said at a meeting with the Iranian officials in the Northeastern province of Khorassan Razavi on Sunday.

He added that 10,000 Spanish nationals travel to Iran annually.

"We should launch a direct line to send tourists to Iran and attract Iranian tourists to our country," Busquets said.

Iran and Spain in 2016 discussed facilitating visa issuance and setting up direct Tehran-Madrid flights.

Also, last February, Iran and Spain signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Tehran in the political, economic and rail transport fields.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Spanish counterpart Alfonso María Dastis Quecedo in the Iranian capital.

During the meeting, the Spanish foreign minister pointed to the longstanding history of amicable relationship between Iran and Spain in all fields, and said, “This is the first time that I visit Iran and it is hoped that the two countries will strengthen their ties in the best form possible in future."

He pointed to the implementation of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and said, "As a member of European Union, Spain is fully committed to this significant deal."

While exchanging their views on bilateral, regional and international ties, the two sides placed special emphasis on expanding and developing cooperation in tourism and environmental fields, advanced technologies, transport sector, etc.