IRAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR MALAYSIA’S ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP IN 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) — Iran pledges support for Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2025 and  is keen to boost relations with the 10-member bloc next year.

In a statement, the Embassy of Iran in Malaysia stated that Iran is ready to expand its relations with ASEAN countries, particularly with Malaysia, in 2025, focusing on education and trade. 

It added that Iran would like to introduce Chabahar Port in the southeast of Iran as a trade hub for ASEAN members to access Russian and Central Asian markets.

“ASEAN entrepreneurs should consider this new port for their market opportunities in 2025,” the statement read. 

Under the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, Malaysia is set to host over 300 meetings, programmes, and summits related to ASEAN throughout 2025.

Malaysia has previously held the ASEAN Chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

According to the statement, President Masoud Pezeshkian's good-neighbourhood policy, implemented from the start of his government, has created excellent opportunities for trade and technological cooperation between Iran and ASEAN members.

The total trade value between Iran and ASEAN member countries has reached a significant amount, particularly with Malaysia, which exceeded RM4 billion  (US$1=RM4.48) last year, the statement added.

The statement also noted that Iran officially joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia and became a friend of ASEAN on the sidelines of the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Singapore in 2018.

Iran and Malaysia have actively collaborated on international platforms such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) and BRICS, it said.

The statement mentioned that during the recent meeting of D-8 members in Cairo, Iranian President Pezeshkian proposed forming a D-8 contact group to work alongside the OIC in international efforts to cease hostilities in Gaza, facilitate humanitarian aid, and promote greater cooperation and unity within the Islamic world.

Therefore, Iran acknowledges the Malaysian government's stance on not recognising unilateral sanctions or actions taken by any country regarding the Gaza issue.

-- BERNAMA