South Korea and Iran held talks here Thursday on enhancing two-way cooperation in light of international negotiations aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
  

The annual policy meeting, led by Kwon Hee-seog, director-general of the Africa and Middle East affairs bureau, and his Iranian counterpart, Abdolrassoul Mohajer, came just weeks before the June 30 target date for the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of the United States, Britain, China, Russia, Germany and France.
  

The agreement, if completed, will rein in Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions imposed because of the program. The world powers suspect Iran could use its nuclear facilities to build bombs, while Tehran insists they are for peaceful purposes, such as electricity production.
  

At the start of the session, the diplomats talked briefly about the recent outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in South Korea. The viral disease has claimed the lives of nine people here and infected more than a hundred others.
  

"Despite the fact that MERS has been causing a lot of concern to foreign visitors of Korea nowadays, but yet you came here as a good friend, overcoming the concern over MERS. For that, we are very much grateful to you and your delegation," Kwon said.
  

Mohajer joked that his wife had serious concerns about him traveling here, saying the issue was likely exaggerated by the international press.
  

"I thought that if I do not come here perhaps it could make some sabotage between the friendship between ourselves," he said. "So I decided finally to come and I pray to God almighty that your country would overcome this disease and you would resolve this issue."
  

After the first few minutes, which were open to media, they went into closed-door talks.
  

Once the nuclear deal is sealed, Iran will be able access its oil money in banks in Europe and other parts of the world valued at tens of billions of U.S. dollars.
  

Much of that cash is expected to be invested in building infrastructure in the Middle Eastern nation, where South Korean firms could win major construction projects.
  

South Korea hopes to secure a foothold in the oil-rich nation before the sanctions are lifted, according to a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
  

Talks have been underway to arrange visits to Iran by First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong and Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun in the coming weeks, the official said. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se could also plan a trip to Iran following the nuclear deal.
  

Mohajer is scheduled to meet with Kim during his stay here.
  

Kwon, meanwhile, will fly to Egypt next week on a three-stop tour of the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry said.
  

On Sunday, he will meet with Arab League officials in Cairo to discuss bilateral exchanges and ways to strengthen their cooperation, it said in a press release.
  

He will then fly to Ankara for policy coordination on pending Middle East issues. Kwon will meet with his Turkish counterpart on Tuesday for talks on their response to the Islamic State terrorist group, the Iranian nuclear issue and security issues in the Middle East, according to the ministry.
  

On the final leg of his trip, Kwon will meet with Lebanese foreign ministry officials in Beirut on Wednesday to discuss bilateral issues, the political situation in the Middle East and Northeast Asia, and cooperation on global issues.
  

The series of meetings is expected to help enhance ties between South Korea and the Middle East, boost cooperation on Middle Eastern Affairs and secure the support of Middle Eastern nations for South Korea's interests on the international stage, the ministry said. (Yonhap)