NORWAY: IRANIAN INFLUENCE IN MIDDLE EAST IS A GOOD THING. According to the Islamic Republic News Service:

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in Stockholm on Tuesday that Iranian historical influence in the region including Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Palestine is undeniable.

In a meeting with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Gahr Store expressed his country's respect to Iranian culture and civilization, adding that there are plentiful potentials to expand bilateral cooperation based on mutual interests.

Huh? What is he talking about?

"Tehran-Oslo relations are satisfactory and promising in various arenas," he said.

Mottaki said for his part that trend of bilateral ties is positive, adding Tehran-Oslo cooperation is growing on mutual interests.

"Grounds are prepared for cooperation in energy, oil, gas, communications and trade fields, which provide the two sides with chance to conduct joint ventures and strengthen bilateral cooperation," he added.

Oh...gotcha! ;-)

Technorati Tag: Jonas Gahr Store and Norway and Iran.