Rouhani en-route to Indonesia to attend Bandung Conf.

TEHRAN, Apr. 21 (MNA) – Leaving for Indonesia today to attend Asia-Africa Conference, President Rouhani said Yemen issue, regional stability and fighting terrorism would be discussed during the event. Speaking to reporters at Mehrabad Airport Tuesday morning before leaving for Indonesia, President Rouhani maintained the Asia-Africa Conference commemorates the 60th anniversary of South-South cooperation established in 1955 with the presence of 29 countries in the Indonesian city of Bandung. Noting that during that summit certain important decisions had been taken which came to be known as Bandung principles and later inspired the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Rouhani added, “Iran’s attendance in the conference is due to its being one of the founders of NAM as well as its current chair, and also for being present during the original conference that took place 60 years ago.” He also said he would meet with heads of some of the participating countries on the sidelines of the summit. A meeting with Islamic scholars and university professors as well as one with Indonesian businesspeople and entrepreneurs will also be held which according to Rouhani, each holds great significance. On the sidelines, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will also hold a meeting which is particularly critical given the current regional situation, according to Rouhani. President Rouhani expressed hope for holding talks on Yemen crisis, peace and stability in the region and fighting terrorism. Indonesia is hosting celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference (AAC) in Jakarta and Bandung on April 19-24, 2015. The upcoming commemorative event is expected to yield three documents, including one dedicated to reiterate support for Palestine’s independence. The two other documents will be a Bandung Message and one on the strengthening of NAASP. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will be also attending the Bandung conference.