Portuguese President, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, says his country wants to expand ties with Iran in all spheres. Speaking to Iran’s new Ambassador to Portugal, Hossein Gharibi, on Friday, Silva said dialogue is the best means to facilitate mutual cooperation in the fields of economy and science. Gharibi, submitting his credentials to Silva, said for his part that the age-old ties between Iran and Portugal provide strong testimony that the two sides share common understanding and areas for extensive mutual cooperation. He referred to Portuguese policymakers’ key international positions during their country’s presidency over the EU, hoping that Portugal will use the opportunity available as a result of its membership in the UN Security Council to present new initiatives free of the unilateralistic pressures, thus playing an influential role in settlement of the regional and international problems.