Iran-SAARC ties rooted in history: minister

TEHRAN, May 1 (MNA) – Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said Iran’s ties with the countries member to the SAARC bloc are rooted in history.

Mottaki made the remarks on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit that kicked off on Wednesday in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, in which Iran attended as an observer.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are the members of the SAARC. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985.

Iran was awarded an observer status in the regional bloc in 2008.

Mottaki said that SAARC has provided good opportunities for regional cooperation based on mutual understanding.

The foreign minister said Iran is interested in expanding ties with the SAARC members.

Mottaki said Iran’s trade exchanges with the SAARC worth over $15 billion.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he called for fight against terrorism without discrimination and free from political motivations.

He also said that Tehran will host a conference on fight against terrorism in September.