Era of unilateralism over, Iran-Indonesia ties to benefit Muslim world: Raeisi

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the era of unilateralism has come to an end, underlining that the expansion of relations between Iran and Indonesia will benefit the Islamic world and all Muslims.

Raeisi made the remarks in a meeting with Bambang Soesatyo, the speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of Indonesia, in the capital Jakarta on Tuesday.

Raeisi described Indonesia as an important country with a privileged position in Southeast Asia and said, “The expansion of relations between the two countries is in the interest of the Islamic world and Muslims.”

Stressing that the world order has taken a new shape and the era of unilateralism is over, the Iranian president said, “With these changes, new powers will be formed in the world, which is in the interest of developing countries.”

“We believe the oppressed people of Palestine, Yemen and Myanmar are very close to having their rights fulfilled," he said.

Pointing to the extensive measures taken by the West to threaten and impose sanctions on Iran, the president said, “The great nation of Iran, by relying on Islam and believing in independence, not only declined to surrender to such pressures, but also created an opportunity out of such threats.”

Raeisi added that the progress achieved in various fields and areas is proof of the Iranian nation’s success.

“The Islamic Republic’s progress in the fields of science and technology has placed Iran among the countries with advanced technologies, such as in the space and nuclear field,” he noted.

Soesatyo, for his part, described Iran-Indonesia relations as “historical” and said, “The development and deepening of ties between Tehran and Jakarta will benefit the Islamic world.”

He also expressed concern about rising violence against Palestinian people and underscored their right to determine their fate.

Iran-Indonesia ties to benefit Muslim world

The Iranian president also met with Puan Maharani, the speaker of the People’s Representative Council of Indonesia, and discussed ways for the enhancement of ties between the two Muslim countries.

“Despite threats and brutal sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran has made great progress and has achieved capabilities that have created good capacities for the development of relations between the two countries,” Raeisi said.

Appreciating Indonesia's stance in supporting the oppressed peoples of Palestine and Afghanistan, the Iranian president said, “The development of relations is in line with the interests of the two countries, the people of the region and Muslims.”

Raeisi pointed to the talks and documents signed with Indonesian authorities in the fields of energy, medicine and science and technology, saying, “There are no obstacles in the way of the development of relations between the two countries.”

Maharani, for her part, voiced the Indonesian Representative Council’s support for the agreements made during Raeisi’s visit and said, “I am confident that the relations between the two countries will develop not only in the political field, but also in the fields of economy and medicine, especially in pharmaceutical products.”

Earlier in the day, Raeisi arrived in the Indonesian capital on an official two-day visit aimed at enhancing the Islamic Republic's relations with the Southeast Asian country in political and economic arenas.

Heading a high-ranking political-economic delegation, the Iranian president was officially welcomed by his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo shortly after his arrival.

The two sides have signed 11 cooperation documents and memoranda of understanding to develop economic and political interactions.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk