Rouhani kicks off Southeast Asia trip with 3 destinations on schedule

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani kicked off his visit to South East Asia first with Vietnam on Wednesday morning at the official invitation of Vietnamese counterpart, the Iranian news agency Mehr.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Rouhani left Tehran for Hanoi on Wednesday to hold talks with Vietnamese President Trần Đại Quang.

He is also scheduled to attend a joint meeting hosting high-ranking officials of the two countries and to discuss and exchange views about ways to improve cooperation on issues of mutual interests.

Senior talks and the signing of several cooperation documents between the two countries are among other programs during Rouhani's two-day visit to Hanoi.

Meantime, an Iranian private sector delegation is present in Vietnam, and will attend the joint meeting to examine ways of development of economic relations with their Vietnamese counterparts.

Wrapping up his official trip to Vietnam, Rouhani will also visit Malaysia capital Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

During his stay in Kuala Lumpur, Rouhani will hold talks with senior Malaysian heads on bilateral relations, including in the areas of economic, industrial and technological cooperation.

Meeting Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, high-level negotiations of delegations of the two countries and meeting with elites in Malaysia are among Rouhani's anticipated programs in Kuala Lumpur.

In the last leg of his trip to Southeast Asia, President Rouhani will fly to Bangkok, Thailand, to participate in the second Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit (2nd ACD Summit) due on October 9.

Rouhani will deliver speech during the Summit, which is composed of 34 Asian countries, to clarify Iran's positions and will also hold talks with senior officials on the sidelines of meetings.

Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) is an Asian regional cooperation framework initiated by Thailand in 2002 with the aim to connect the countries in Asia and to build an Asian community.

Policymakers from all ACD member states participate annually in discussions and exchange of ideas on regional cooperation, which will enhance understanding and trust among members, as well as consolidate strengths and fortify competitiveness of the member countries.

With 18 founding members at its inception, ACD have expanded and now constitutes 34 members from all sub-regions in Asia.

Source: MENA