"The NAM plays an important role in creating cooperation among its members in the field of economy, social as well as culture and we support Iran to be the NAM chair," Indonesian Vice President Boediono said.Tehran (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has expressed support for Iran`s leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement for the next three years.
"The NAM plays an important role in creating cooperation among its members in the field of economy, social as well as culture and we support Iran to be the NAM chair," Indonesian Vice President Boediono said to newsmen here on Friday.
Boediono made the statement after meeting with Iran`s highest religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the 16th NAM Summit.
He said during the meetings with the two Iranian leaders that he had also exchanged views about current global situation and the NAM`s role in creating a world order.
Ali Khamenei, he said, had also expressed his view on the NAM`s role in the current world situation and hope that the NAM could play a bigger role in the political and security arena in the world.
"His view and mine on the NAM`s role, whose potential is found to be bigger than it has been played so far, is found to be the same," he said.
Boediono said aspects of economic cooperation, public welfare, South-South, social and cultural cooperation need to be given attention by the NAM.
Ali Khamenei during the meeting also expressed his admiration to Bung Karno (Indonesia`s first president) who he considered had inspired the establishment of the NAM along with several others.
"Khamenei is very impressed by Bung Karno`s speech at the Asia Africa Conference in Bandung in 1950," he said.
Boediono said during the meeting with President Ahmadinejad he had also conveyed the Indonesian government`s condolences for the victims of recent earthquake in that country.
Boediono said "Ahmadinejad told me he was very impressed with his visit to Indonesia several years ago." (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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