Iran Highlights Potential for Strengthened Cooperation with ASEAN

Tehran, The Gulf Observer: The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to ASEAN, Mohammad Boroujerdi, has emphasized Iran’s significant potential for partnership and collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Speaking at a conference reviewing Iran-ASEAN relations held at the International and Political Studies Center in Tehran on Sunday, Boroujerdi highlighted the importance of Southeast Asia to Iran. He remarked that this region’s strategic significance has fueled the rapid development of relations between Iran and ASEAN in politics, economics, society, and culture.

The ambassador underscored that the growing ties between Iran and ASEAN are evident not only at bilateral levels but also in regional and international organizations and forums. Over the past three decades, Iran has consistently sought to enhance its cooperation with ASEAN, demonstrating a strong commitment to this goal, he added.

Boroujerdi expressed optimism about the mutual benefits of stronger Iran-ASEAN cooperation, citing Iran’s substantial potential to serve as a valuable partner to ASEAN nations.

ASEAN, a regional organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries, was established on August 8, 1967, by Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It later expanded to include Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Brunei.

In a related development, Mohammad Lahouti, Head of the Iran Export Confederation, announced earlier today that Iran’s trade with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) increased by 20% in the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (from late March to late December 2024) compared to the same period last year. Iran’s exports to EAEU member countries reached $1.5 billion during this period.

The developments signal Iran’s growing focus on fostering regional and international economic partnerships.