President Rouhani’s 3-nation tour, new chapter in ties with Southeast Asia
EghtesadOnline: A Malaysian analyst said that the three-nation East Asian tour of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and expansion of cooperation with those countries mark opening of a new chapter in Iran’s relations with the southeastern Asian states.
Head of the Research Department of Malaya University’s Faculty of Islamic Studies Movahed Raslan Movahed Nour made the remarks while commenting on President Rouhani’s visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand which started on October 5 with his arrival in Hanoi.
Speaking to IRNA, the analyst said that President Rouhani’s visits, especially his visit to Malaysia, mark a prelude to Malaysia’s relations with the Middle Eastern states and further unity among Muslim states.
At a time when world’s doors are open to Iran after the landmark nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), a suitable opportunity has been provided for consolidation of relations between Iran and the regional states, Nour said.
He noted that since the West has been trying to plunder wealth of the Iranian nation and issue sanctions against the Middle Eastern state, the consolidation of relations between Iran and Asian states, especially regional economic powers, can mark a new chapter in Iran’s further prosperity.
He touched upon President Rouhani’s upcoming visit to Malaysia and said Iran and Malaysia can cooperate in exports and imports of oil products and palm oil.
Malaysia can benefit from Iran’s experience in nuclear energy and substitute energies, the analyst added.
He believed that Malaysia can play the role of a mediator between Iran and Saudi Arabia and help the two countries mend their disputed ties.
He stressed that the dialogue among civilizations are the best way to fight against terrorism and extremis.
The Government of President Rohani has so far been playing an effective role in promoting mutual relations between Iran and other countries of the world, stressed the Malaysian analyst.