Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Group of 77 (G-77) and the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) can contribute significantly to international equations.
“In the current global situation, groups like the G-77 and NAM can play a constructive role in global equations,” Rouhani said in a Tuesday meeting with Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama on the sidelines of the 68th annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Iran currently holds the rotating presidency of NAM, while Fiji chairs the G-77.

NAM is an international organization with 120 member states that is not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Nearly two-thirds of the countries of the UN are also NAM members.

The G-77 was founded on June 15, 1964 by the “Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries,” which was issued at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). There were 77 founding members of the organization, but the organization has since expanded to 132 member countries.

The Iranian president expressed regret over the unrest in some parts of the Middle East and assessed as ‘helpful’ the efforts made by the G-77 and NAM for the establishment of peace and stability in the region.

Rouhani further expressed the Islamic Republic’s preparedness to expand ties with Fiji in all areas, including tourism.

The Fijian president, for his part, underlined the significance of Tehran- Suva relations and called for the further enhancement of amicable ties with Iran.

In another meeting on Tuesday, Rouhani and Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif stressed their countries’ willingness to strengthen reciprocal relations and expressed hope for the settlement of regional issues.

Both sides described terrorism as a serious regional scourge which should be fought against.

The Pakistani premier congratulated Rohani on his election as Iran’s president, calling for the enhancement of Tehran-Islamabad relations.

Pointing to the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline, planned to carry natural gas from Iran to its eastern neighbor, Sharif said he would send Pakistani Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to Tehran for talks in this respect.

Iran has already built the 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil and is helping to build another 700-kilometer stretch on the Pakistani side.

Sharif also invited President Rouhani to pay a visit to Pakistan.

Rouhani congratulated Sharif on his election as Pakistan’s prime minister and accepted his invitation to visit the neighboring country.

By Press TV

 

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