Indonesian Minister Calls for Closer Scientific Cooperation with Iran

Speaking at a meeting with Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology Affairs Sorena Sattari in Tehran on Tuesday, Darmin Nasution said his visit to Iran is in line with efforts to promote relations between Tehran and Jakarta in various areas, including energy, science, technology, and economy.

Scientific and technological progress, as “the driving engine” of the economies of countries seeking development, has become more important than ever, he said.

“Accordingly, we look forward to a constructive engagement with Iran to benefit from its progress in various areas of science and technology within the framework of a joint working group,” the Indonesian minister added.

The Iranian vice-president, for his part, highlighted the growing number of start-ups in Iran and said the Islamic Republic regards development of the businesses as a main priority and is ready to cooperate with Indonesia in all areas, including this field.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo paid an official visit to Iran in December last year and held talks on ways to promote bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields.

During the visit, top officials from the two sides signed four cooperation agreements, including a mutual legal assistance treaty, an extradition treaty, and two memorandums of understanding (MoUs), one on cooperation in the electricity industry and renewable energies, and the other on efforts to encourage investment.

The visit came against the backdrop of a new wave of interest in ties with Iran after Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France, and Germany) reached a nuclear deal in July 2015 and started implementing it in January 2016.