In Madrid on Jan. 20 to formally open the Israeli exhibit at the International Tourism Trade Fair, Israeli Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov met, talked and shook hands with his Iranian counterpart.
Misezhnikov met with Iranian Tourism Minister Hamid Baghaei when the representatives of all the participating countries took part in a formal ceremony; the two stood next to each other.
Misezhnikov said Iranian tourist officials were friendly to him throughout the event.
“As opposed to the cold reaction I received from the Syrian representatives when I approached their stall, the Iranians came out to greet me,” said Miseznikov in a phone interview from Madrid. “While the Syrians turned their backs to us and made it clear that we were not welcome, the Iranian exhibit manager shook my hand warmly and gave me a tour of the Iranian booth and told me about the sites they had on display.”
Misezhnikov stressed that the Iranians knew that they were speaking to Israeli officials. “They didn’t hide or scurry away, they remained and talked to us pleasantly.” — jpost.com