U.S., Iranian scientists to meet in Finland on environmental issues

HELSINKI, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Scientists from the United States and Iran will attend a seminar on environmental issues in mid-September in Porvoo, local media reported Tuesday.

With a theme of "Towards New Solutions in Managing Environmental Crisis," the seminar will provide scientists from the two countries with a platform to communicate and find effective solutions to environmental problems, said Timo Hellenberg, head of Hellenberg International, one of the hosts of the seminar.

Because most of the U.S. and Iranian experts attending the event have official backgrounds or close connections with decision-makers in their homelands, the seminar could be a good opportunity for the two governments to start a dialogue, Hellenberg said.

Finnish officials and experts will also attend the seminar.

Foreign Ministry official Risto Volanen, who will deliver a speech at the seminar, said he hopes cooperation between the United States and Iran will move from the scientific sector to other matters.