Chairperson of the House Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, Fadli Zon, received a courtesy call of the Iranian Ambassador, Mohamad Azad, at Nusantara III Building, Parliamentary Complex, Senayan, Thursday (10/3/2022). Photo: Tari/Man

Indonesia and Iran have enjoyed a long history of bilateral cooperation in bilateral scope. The Chairperson of the House Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation (BKSAP), Fadli Zon, stated that the cooperation between the two countries will continue to be strengthened in various sectors. The Member of the House Commission I on defence, foreign affairs, and information also said that the two countries are currently identifying several potential areas of cooperation in the economic sectors, including tariffs, investment, as well as promotion of mutual product knowledge to identify potential complementary products in respective markets.

"Indonesia prioritizes national welfare through economic or trade activities, which is why Indonesia focuses its diplomacy primarily on trade and economic sectors," Zon said during a meeting between the House Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation and Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Azad at Nusantara III Building, Parliamentary Complex, on Thursday (10/3/2022).

As regards the trade sector, Indonesia and Iran need to tap into potential areas to drive trade growth. Meanwhile, during the pandemic, cooperation in health sector has also become one of the main priorities of Indonesia-Iran relations. In addition, Zon also highlighted the diplomatic endeavors carried out by the parliaments of both countries. "We believe that parliamentary diplomacy plays a strategic role to support cooperation between Indonesia and Iran," Zon asserted.

Promotion of bilateral relations between the two countries is particularly significant considering the Indonesian and Iranian parliaments are the founders of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Members (PUIC). "We have worked closely with the Iranian Parliament through global parliamentary forums such as PUIC, IPU, and APA. We have shared common interests, in particular, to support the Palestinian people and overall wellbeing of the Muslims," concluded the Gerindra Party politician. (ah,gal/sf)