The Iranian government is willing to help the country achieve peace in conflict-torn Mindanao, visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Thursday.

In a press conference, Mottaki said the Iranian government is “ready” to help the country in its peace process. “If there are further requests in order to have greater participation from Iran, we’ll be willing to do so,” Mottaki said.

The Iranian Foreign Minister is here in the country for a two-day official visit. Last Thursday, he paid a courtesy call to President Arroyo and held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

“The Philippines could present and demonstrate an example of a peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Iran is a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), of which the Philippines is lobbying for an observer status. An observer status in the OIC could help the Philippines fast-track peace and development in Mindanao.

Iran supports the Philippines’ bid for an observer status in the OIC.

The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are about to start the formal resumption of the peace talks before the end of the year.

Mottaki meanwhile said the Iranian and Philippine governments are eyeing to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of energy, petrochemical and commerce, adding that the bilateral relations between the two countries have “so far no negative signs.”

Currently, bilateral trade is at more than $400-million.

“I believe we can push the figure to more than $1 billion over a period of time,” Mottaki said.

Mottaki also said he and Romulo have agreed to relax visa policies to increase tourist arrivals from both countries. The agreement will waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

“(We’re on the)] finalization of moving up political and official visas in order to have further tourist exchange from both countries,” he said.

During the bilateral meetings, the two officials also agreed to the convening of the 5th Philippines - Iran Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in the first quarter of 2010 here in the country to look into and adopt practical measures that will boost opportunities for both sides in trade, investments, energy, and tourism.