Iran Invited to IORA Summit

Hassan Wirayudha, Indonesian special envoy, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Sunday.

Tehran, 09 Jumadil Awwal 1438/06 February 2017 (MINA) – Indonesia’s president extended an invitation to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani to attend a leaders’ summit meeting in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) establishment, slated for March in Jakarta.

The invitation was conveyed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s special envoy, Hassan Wirajuda, who met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Sunday, tasnimnews.com reported.

During the meeting, Zarif said Iran attaches great significance to cooperation with IORA.

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Pointing to IORA’s push for the fight against violent extremism and terrorism, Zarif said Iran is a forerunner in the war on extremism, pointing to an Iranian proposal the United Nations General Assembly passed in December 2013 for a World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE).

Zarif and the visiting Indonesian official further called for expansion of Tehran-Jakarta relations.

IORA, an organization with 21 member states and 7 dialogue partners, came into being at the first ministerial meeting in Mauritius in March 1997.

The organization is going to celebrate its 20th anniversary in a summit on March 5-7 under the theme “Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable, and Prosperous Indian Ocean”, according to its official website. (T/RS05/RS01)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)