IRNA - UN Resident Coordinator in Iran Gary Lewis said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is building bridges between the Islamic Republic and Europe to improve bilateral ties.

Lewis made the remarks on the sidelines of the International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms underway in Tehran.

He pointed to Zarif�s recent tour of European visiting Germany, Italy and France, and said that the Iranian Foreign Minister spares no effort in promoting relations with Europe.

'I was very reassured that Dr. Zarif went to France and he is doing his best to build bridges and to open windows between Iran and the international community,' he said.

The International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) started work here on Monday.

Thirty-four world countries affected most by the SDS phenomenon have participated in the three-day environmental event.