Nuclear Deal Positive For Peace In West Asia - Envoy

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz and R.Ratcharathan KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- The nuclear deal signed between Iran and the 5+1 countries (US, United Kingdom, France, China and Russia, plus Germany) last month marked an important step for peace and stability in West Asia, said Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Marzieh Afkham (pix, right). She said that the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was an apparent sign of the country’s power of diplomacy, besides indicating the role and importance of dialogue and negotiation to overcome problems and crisis. "...having based its policy and logic on dialogue and interaction, (Iran) is ready and willing to use all its capacity to promote peace, security and strong friendly ties and to demonstrate its commitments as an Islamic country to present the merciful and rational face of Islam to the world," she said. Afkham, the first Iranian woman ambassador since the Islamic Revolution, was speaking at the 37th anniversary celebration of the Islamic Revolution Victory Day, here Thursday night. The event, celebrated on Feb 11 annually, marked the end of Iranian Revolution which occurred from January 1978 to February 1979, aimed to overthrow the Pahlavi dynasty. Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim (pix, left) , as well as ambassadors and High Commissioners based in Malaysia. Afkham also noted that Iran’s foreign policy after the Islamic revolution had been focused on cooperation with different countries, especially with Islamic and neighbouring countries. On Iran-Malaysia relations, Afkham said trade was one of the foundations to the solid bilateral relations, adding that over 40,000 Iranians are in Malaysia as students, lecturers, traders and businessman. "We hope that relations between Malaysia and Iran will further strengthen in all fields of economy, politics and culture and result in positive achievements, thus leading to deepening friendly ties between the two nations," she said. Meanwhile, Rohani said her commitment was to share the knowledge and experience in the process of women development in the economic field with Afkham. Rohani said the ambassador from Iran would visit her ministry Friday to study the culture and involvement of women in the development of the country. "We (Malaysia) have many policies and Acts that are closely and directly related to women and such aspects can become the main agenda for Afkham during her visit and topic of discussion, including women, family and community related details," she told Bernama, here Thursday night. Rohani said Malaysia are proud and happy with Afkham's appointment in November last year, following Iran's decision to appoint the first woman ambassador since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Afkham, 54, was previously the Iran Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA