Iran, Malaysia keen to return ties to post-sanction level

TEHRAN, Oct. 23 (MNA) – Malaysian Min. of Foreign Trade announced Iran and Malaysia’s determination to sign a feasibility trade agreement and to return their relations to post-sanction levels. Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Mustafa Muhammad made the announcement here in Tehran in a Sat. meeting with Iran’s ICT Minister Mahmoud Vaezi, adding “the signing of the feasibility trade agreement will boost the two countries’ level of cooperation.” He went on to add, “it was also agreed that Iran-Malaysia Joint Economic Commission will be held in Tehran next year. The commission will not only address economic issues, but also the issues related to information and communication technology.” The Malaysian minister noted that the anti-Iranian sanctions had considerably reduced the level of relations between Tehran and Kuala Lumpur, adding “As of now, and especially since last year, there has been some development in our bilateral ties and the two countries are determined to restore their relations back to how it was before the sanctions.” He deemed expansion of economic ties in the field of petrochemicals and oil highly important, adding Malaysian Petronas and Al-Bukhary corporations are keenly interested in taking part in Iran’s oil and gas projects. He also announced the launch of talks between representatives of Iranian and Malaysian central banks next Monday for reviewing ways for furthering cooperation. The Malaysian Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry arrived in Tehran on Saturday, about two weeks after the visit of President Hassan Rouhani to Kuala Lumpur. Mustafa Muhammad also chairs Iran-Malaysia Joint Economic Commission.