Iran to hold international Silk Road Conference

The event, to kick off on Jan. 9, 2010, aims to introduce the history, culture and customs of Silk Road countries and promote their tourism and ecotourism.

Creating the motivation to endorse and revive the Silk Road as a major tourism hub is also one of the main objectives of the conference.

Participants will also discuss the archeology of Silk Road countries, the restoration of their ancient monuments and the keeping of their rich cultural and national traditions.

Cultural products and handicrafts will also be exhibited on the sidelines of the event, introducing Iranian culture and civilization.

Ambassadors of South Korea, Nigeria, Iraq, Turkey, India and Pakistan have announced their readiness to take part in the three-day conference.

The 2,000-year-old Silk Road was a trade route linking Asia and Europe through Persia. The 7,000-kilometer-long road extended from the Chinese cities of Luoyang and Xi'an, to Europe via south and central Asian countries.

/Press TV/