Iran's Zarif Leaves Istanbul For Algeria

Istanbul, May 28, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif left Istanbul for Algiers Tuesday evening to take part in the 17th Ministerial Meeting of the Non-aligned Movement. Zarif arrived in Istanbul on May 26 for informal talks with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. He was accompanied by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham, his deputies Majid Takht-e Ravanchi and Abbas Araqchi and Foreign Ministry Director General for Political and International Security Hamid Baeedinejad. In addition to delivering a speech during the ministerial meeting of NAM, Zarif is scheduled to meet his counterparts to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues. Iran took over rotating presidency of NAM in 2012 for a three-year period. The 17th Ministerial Meeting of the Non-aligned Movement opened in Algiers on May 26 and will continue for four days. The first two days have been devoted to expert talks. The meeting will discuss hosting of Venezuela of the next round of the event as well as promoting role of member states in global developments. Iranˈs Ambassador to Algeria Mahmoud Mohammadi commented on the meeting and Zarifˈs work schedule, saying that the minister has been invited to a joint meeting of NAM with G77, to be held on May 30 following the NAM meeting . Senior officials of 50 countries have applied for a meeting with Foreign Minister Zarif and arrangements are being made by the Iranian Embassy officials, the ambassador said. NAM comprising 120 member states and 20 observers has focused on economic and social development, disarmament and international peace./end