President Rouhani: Asia-Africa cooperation runs counter to unilateralism

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has highlighted the importance of Asia-Africa ties, saying the South-South cooperation flies in the face of unilateralism.

“Cooperation between the countries of these two continents against unilateralism is a great and very important move in the international arena,” President Rouhani told reporters upon his arrival in Tehran on Friday after wrapping up his visit to Indonesia.

President Rouhani, who was in Jakarta to participate in the summit meeting of the Asian-African Conference (AAC), added that senior officials of more than 100 countries attended the event and exchanged views on “various issues including ways to expand the economic cooperation.”

“Given the current situation of the region and the world, the issue of fighting terrorism had almost overshadowed all topics,” the president stated.

President Rouhani added that the participants discussed the situation in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

He also made reference to his talks with the leaders of China, Vietnam and Indonesia as well as the prime ministers of Japan and Bangladesh on the sidelines of the two-day conference, noting, “They all called for the expansion of relations with Iran.”

In an address to a public session of the Asian-African Conference in Indonesia on Wednesday, President Rouhani urged the formation of a global front against terrorism and expressed Iran’s readiness to cooperate with its neighbors, including Arab countries, in the anti-terror campaign.

The president further warned of growing terrorism in Asia and Africa, saying extremists are using intelligence, arms and financial support from certain regional and international players to achieve their “illegitimate objectives.”

He also said Iran is resolute to use its regional and international potential to ensure security in the region and contribute to world peace.