Iran said on Sunday that its foreign ministry would play a greater role in economic cooperation with foreign countries to foster more balanced ties between economic and political cooperation.

"The Islamic republic will not allow the economic sector to work without the coordination from the foreign ministry, which has already been stressed by the president during his visit to the ministry," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi told a weekly news briefing.

Asefi said foreign countries which hoped to promote economic cooperation with Iran should develop balanced economic and political relations with the country accordingly.

Earlier in the day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid surprising visits to some ministries, including the foreign ministry led by Minister Manuchehr Mottaki.

The move came as an apparent attempt to link foreign countries' economic interests in Iran to their political stances on Iran, analysts said.

Iran's battle with the European Union over its nuclear activities intensified after Tehran resumed its uranium conversion work in early August, a preparatory step for enrichment.

Since taking office, Ahmadinejad has assumed a tough line on Iran's nuclear issue, reiterating its legitimate rights.

He slammed in late August the oppositional stance held by some trade partners of Iran on its nuclear program, especially the EU.

However, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday that Iran has officially called on the EU to resume nuclear talks.

Source: Xinhua