Cleric: Iran active in diplomacy

Senior Iranian cleric Hojjatoleslam Kazem Seddiqi says hosting the 2010 Group of 15 summit indicates the Islamic Republic’s prowess in diplomacy.

“Holding this summit with the participation of at least eight presidents as well as the high-ranking officials from the member states … shows the authority of Iran and the Islamic establishment,” Borna News Agency quoted him as saying.

“The Islamic Republic will hold this summit at a time when it has been accused of isolation,” Tehran’s interim Friday Prayers leader added.

“This summit shows Iran’s active and desirable diplomacy.”

Seddiqi expressed hope that the meeting would result in taking new steps to solve the problems of developing countries.

Earlier in the week, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced Tehran would be hosting the 18-member G15 Summit on May 17.

The Group of 15 was established at the 9th meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade in September 1989, with the aim of promoting growth and prosperity in member states.