“Iran and Indonesia have ample opportunities and capacities to develop ties in all fields of mutual interest, such as oil and gas and construction of roads, bridges, dams and power plants,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hasan, in Tehran on Tuesday.
Rouhani deemed development of banking ties vital to the expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries, expressing hope that Iranian and Indonesian authorities would make efforts to increase the level of trade transactions up to $2 billion.
Rouhani then stressed the many cultural commonalities between the two countries, adding “the real Islam is the herald of compassion, moderation and unity among Muslims. It is through unity that we can protect the Islamic culture and boost the power of the Muslim world.”
The President also highlighted the two countries’ cooperation on resolving the issues and challenges of the Islamic world.
The Iranian President expressed deep regret over the instable and conflict-stricken situation in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, calling for collective efforts to restore security to these countries and help them protect the Muslims and the people of these regions.
“We need to introduce the true face of Islam to the public opinions of the world and drive out terrorists from Islamic lands,” he stressed.
The Indonesian senior official, for his part, noted that Iran and Indonesia, as two major Islamic countries, can use the opportunities of cooperation in all fields and make efforts to further develop economic and trade relations.
“We should introduce the moderate Islam to the world and invite all Muslims to put their disagreements aside,” he said, adding “Iran and Indonesia can cooperate to take effective steps in this regard.”
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