Mitropoulos Hails Iran’s Efforts in Fighting Piracy

Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Efthimios Mitropoulos lauded Iran’s role in fighting pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

“The presence of the Iranian Navy in fighting pirates in the Gulf of Aden has been effective and we support this presence,” Mitropoulos said in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Tuesday.

Noting the Islamic Republic of Iran’s presence in fighting piracy in the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden, he underlined, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy has taken good steps in supporting sea security and we appreciate these efforts.”

Mitropoulos also announced IMO’s readiness to pave the way for further presence of Iranians at the organization’s management levels.

Elsewhere, Mitropoulos in a joint press conference with the managing director of Iran’s ports and shipping organization hailed Iran’s activities in marine search and rescue, establishment of facilities for ship harboring and leave and installation of navigation help signs in the Iranian ports.

“These elements show that the Islamic Republic of Iran pays attention to safety issues and the IMO is much satisfied with Iran,” he added.