Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the fight against extremism and terrorism requires a common global strategy.
“All must understand that this (terrorism) is an international problem and needs an international solution,” Zarif said in an address to the 2016 Oslo Forum on Tuesday.
He added that using terrorism as a tool or an end would be detrimental to all countries.
The top Iranian diplomat emphasized that terrorism and extremism cannot be eliminated only through military, political, or economic means; rather a cultural and ideological approach is also needed.
Zarif added that such an approach must determine the reasons behind the attraction of some people toward extremism.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, the Iranian foreign minister arrived in Norway on Monday to hold talks with the European country’s officials and participate in the Oslo Forum.
On Monday, Zarif held separate meetings with Norway's Foreign Minister Boerge Brende, president of parliament Olemic Thommessen, Prime Minister Erna Solbergtold, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, Anniken Huitfeldt, and former prime ministers Kjell Magne Bondevik and Kare Willoch.
The Iranian minister on Tuesday met with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.
The Oslo Forum is widely regarded as the leading international network of armed conflict mediation practitioners. It regularly convenes senior conflict mediators, high level decision makers, key peace process actors, analysts and experts from a variety of institutional backgrounds in a series of informal and discreet retreats.
Co-hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, the Oslo Forum features an annual global event in Oslo and is complemented by regional retreats in Africa and Asia.