Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa warmly welcomed his visiting counterpart Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at his office on Thursday, with the Iranian diplomat strongly portraying the more moderate and charming face of Iran.

In a joint press conference with Zarif, who Marty described as '€œa dear friend and colleague'€, the latter said '€œhow thrilled and how deeply happy'€ Indonesia was to receive Iranian President Hassan Rohani'€™s top diplomat.

'€œAs well as the bilateral issues I have mentioned, we also resolved to cooperate very closely on promoting tolerance and moderation. Iran and Indonesia are two countries that are working hand in hand to promote communication and dialogue among civilizations,'€ Marty told journalists.

Indonesia and Iran have agreed to boost bilateral relations and pursue efforts to create peace and stability in their respective regions, as Tehran emerges from international isolation after years of sanctions as a result of its nuclear program, the Indonesian minister noted.

While the two countries have enjoyed close relations, Marty said there was plenty of room to further enhance the relationship, essentially on finding ways and means to increase cooperation in areas of trade, investment and banking. The two have also eyed cooperation on technology, science and research.

During the rule of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who visited Indonesia in 2006 and 2012, the media became accustomed to his confrontational speeches. Under Rohani, however, there appears to have been a departure from that approach, with the emphasis now on moderation. Rohani has criticized the previous government'€™s stance, including its nuclear standoff with world powers that isolated Iran via economic sanctions.

'€œWe can both play a role in advancing regional and global peace and security, particularly peace and stability within the Islamic community and in the non-aligned family, both of which are unfortunately suffering the consequences of turmoil and instability,'€ Zarif said.

'€œIn dealing with global and multilateral issues, we have dealt with a number of problems that Islamic communities and our respective regions face. One area in which we have worked with Indonesia for a while is that of establishing zones free of weapons of mass destruction,'€ the Iranian minister explained.

Zarif, who as a student and diplomat spent much of his time in the US, also answered questions on his country'€™s nuclear program.

'€œWe are prepared to provide the necessary assurances that Iran'€™s program will remain peaceful,
but the fact is Iran has a nuclear program, a peaceful nuclear program. Iran has the science and technology that is indigenous and homegrown. It cannot be wished away,'€ he said.

'€œThe best way is for Iran to continue its peaceful nuclear program under the necessary monitoring by the international framework of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] and the instruments that are available at the IAEA. We are prepared to discuss those instruments.'€

Zarif was also scheduled to meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday. (fss)

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