Raisi confirms ties with Indonesia are 'deep-rooted', 'unbreakable'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 May 23:45
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The Iranian President says the economies of Tehran and Jakarta are complementary to each other.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, left, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, wave to journalists during their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, May 23, 2023. (AP)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stressed on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic establishes ties with countries based on "regionalism and neighborhood policy."

His comments came after returning from a two-day official visit to Indonesia.

"The economies of Tehran and Jakarta are complementary to each other," Raisi said, adding, "The trip to the most populous Muslim country in the world, which has a special and privileged position in the region and also in the ASEAN, had different aspects."

"During this trip, 11 documents for cooperation were signed in economic, commercial, cultural and energy fields," he announced.

The Iranian President revealed that Indonesia announced "its readiness to equip 12 important hospitals in their country with Iranian medical equipment."

Raisi highlighted that "it had been more than 17 years since the amendment to the preferential tariff in the field of trade between the two countries had not been concluded," confirming that an agreement was reached during his trip.

"This agreement makes trade between the two countries and the region smoother."

He continued, "In addition to the energy and economic fields, there were good MoUs in the historical and civilizational fields as well."

Raeisi stressed that the relations between the two countries, being "deep-rooted", are "unbreakable".

"In the regional and extra-regional areas, Iran and Indonesia have common approaches. There are shared views between the two countries in supporting the people of Palestine, Afghanistan and Myanmar," the President added.

"The will of the officials of the two countries is to develop and strengthen economic, political and cultural relations. The expansion of relations between the two countries started from the trip."

Ditch USD in bilateral trade

Raisi announced on Tuesday, while still on his trip, that the two governments have agreed to make additional steps toward stronger economic and financial cooperation through the use of national currencies in mutual trade and financial transactions.

"The target set for the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries … is $20 billion," he stated during a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo

"We have decided to cooperate with this country and other countries using our national currencies," he said.

The Iranian President landed in Indonesia on May 23 upon Widodo's invitation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the visit is a landmark moment in the history of the two countries' relationship.