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Iranian President Highlights ECO’s Role in Region’s Future Economy

By
IFP Media Wire
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“The ECO can and should play a prominent role in building the future economy of our region,” President Rouhani said while addressing the ongoing 13th Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) heads of state in Islamabad.

The two-day meeting kicked off in the Pakistani capital on Wednesday.

The Economic Cooperation Organization was founded by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey back in 1985. It also groups Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Following is the full text of Rouhani’s speech:

In the Name God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Your Excellency Mr. Nawaz Sharif, the Honorable Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Honorable Heads of State and Government

Honorable Secretary General

Distinguished Participants

It is a great pleasure to participate in the 13th Summit Meeting of the ECO Member States in the brotherly and friendly country, Pakistan. I deem it necessary to appreciate His Excellency Prime Minister Sharif for the warm hospitality of the Pakistani government and the proper organization of this august gathering.  Also, I would like to thank the Republic of Azerbaijan for its positive contributions to the Economic Cooperation Organization during its chairmanship. I am confident that with synergy and exchange of views in this summit and more understanding among the heads of Member States,  we would be able to take longer strides in advancing the programs and activities of an organization.

 Excellencies

Our continent Asia is going to pump the heart of the world’s economy as of the second half of the present century. The emerging Asian economies would change the direction of the world’s economy from the West to the East; and this would turn to the 21st to the era of rising Asia. Economic estimates indicate that with the improvement of the economic status of some of the most effective ECO Member States in the following decade, our organization would once again prosper in Asia as the key to engagement between the East and the West in the future, a future which begins right from today and would demonstrate to the whole world that not only the ECO has not lost its philosophy of existence, but also it would exert considerable influence on the future of important region.

The unique status of our countries in transit and transport as well as energy and commerce has put the ECO in an ideal position. The ECO can and should play a prominent role in building the future economy of our region. For this to happen, the ECO is in need of restructuring, a restructuring  with a view towards the new realities and fresh opportunities.

Situated on the shores of several strategic waterways of the world and being neighbor to five important bodies of water, our countries have provided unique geopolitical and territorial conditions for our organization. There is no other trade and transit route linking Europe to Asia more cost-effective and shorter than the ECO pathway.

Our organization is also significant to the world in terms of the supply and transit of energy. In 2013, we decided to declare 2022 as the decade of ECO energy cooperation improvement and progress today we stand halfway through it. However, unfortunately, our intra-regional cooperation and trade in the energy sector remain low and it is necessary for us to utilize the capacity of the ECO for improving cooperation among the Member States for the further production and trade of energy in the future.

Mobilizing our facilities, we are able to encourage and accelerate more growth for our countries. The economic strengthening of the ECO is tied to the close link among our people. We should remove impediments over connection among our people so that they enjoy facilitated visits and cooperation. Our cultural commonalities are a precious asset for our economic integration.

We should overcome barriers of visa, tariffs, transit and transport, and investment so that we provide our private sector and economic activists with the opportunity to approach higher horizons. The message of this summit to the entrepreneurs of the ECO Members States should be higher horizons, more integrity, and closer bonds. Linking through roads, railways, electricity, communications, and telecommunications would provide us with the best of opportunities to enjoy common benefits for our economies.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Until security is in jeopardy, we would not be able to paint a brighter landscape for development and prosperity. Terrorism and Takfiri thoughts are now a common threat to all of us and it is necessary to establish more coordination and cooperation in confrontation with this vicious phenomenon. In Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and million displaced. The outcome of such pains ad sufferings is more vulnerability in our region to domestic conflicts and foreign intervention.

To overcome such problems, we should stop seeking hegemony, and cooperate instead in building a stronger region. I firmly believe that we can weather this crisis unharmed provided that we stop unnecessary and destructive rivalry and believe in our ability to resolve our own problems and mobilize our desire to return to our historical status, meaning the highway of civilization, culture and commerce. The Economic Cooperation Organization is a proper ground for building a safer region for our nations. In view of our collective security, others would confess to the capacities of this region and would even contribute to building prosperity of our countries.

Excellencies

The Islamic Republic of Iran, having long joint borders with the six ECO Member States, deeply honors joint interests and bonds with its neighbors. Not only do we see no obstacle in deepening our relations and cooperation with the ECO Member States, but also we are prepared to enter into a more extensive scope of cooperation with the other players. The successful experience of nuclear negotiations which were concluded within a win-win framework, has paved the way for taking a huge leap in regional cooperation with the ECO Member States with such a fruitful and hopeful approach. The end of the fabricated crisis over the peaceful nuclear activities of Iran and the accomplishment of such a significant international deal which has been ratifies by the Security Council of the United Nations are an impressive achievement not only for Iran and the ECO, but for the world over.

My government in this new climate welcomes the expansion of cooperation in transit and transport, especially the South-North transit route from Sarakhas to Bandar Abbas and Inchebroon to Chabahar, finance and banking, science and technology, agriculture, and food security, culture and tourism and environment and the first flight against natural disasters. Having the world’s largest oil and gas reserves, extensive regional communication hub, young and educated human workforce, scientific capabilities, hit-tech sophistication, accelerated economic growth and employment, as well as economic stability, Iran stands ready as one of the founders of this Organization to play its role in consolidating connectivity among the Member states and empowering the ECO. Fortunately, our organization has founded many specialized institutes and agencies for the development of which the Islamic Republic of Iran has played an active role. Therefore, appropriate frameworks and mechanisms have been established in ECO to help realize these goals.

Honorable Heads of State and Government

The future of our region is determined with our decisions today and the prosperity tomorrow is tied to our connectivity today.

Let’s focus our attention on our commonalities and turn differences to strengths and dialogue and cooperation.

Let’s believe that our power resides with our connectivity.

Let’s make our connectivity more sustainable.

May God bless you.

Iran Slams Int’l Refugee Bodies for Politicised Allocation of Budget

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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110

While international organizations and refugee funds are required to provide governments with their financial assistance in the fields of health and education, they refrain from doing that and act politically in distributing these funds among countries, particularly when it comes to Iran, Iranian lawmaker Heshmatollah Falahat-Pisheh said.

For instance, he noted, over $242 million is annually earmarked for the education of foreign nationals in Iran, whereas, the Iranian Ministry of Education, itself, is faced with serious budget deficit.

According to a Farsi report by ICANA, Falahat-Pisheh added, “Although Iran is home to one of the world’s largest refugee communities, it is does not receive sufficient support from international refugee agencies and organizations.

This is while, he added, Iran takes in refugees on humanitarian grounds.

“Last year, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stressed that refugees are required to be provided with free education.”

He said Iran is required to adopt an international attitude towards regional issues, given the ongoing crises in the Middle East, adding, any negligence by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in demanding Iran’s rights from international organizations is highly unlikely as it has held and carried out all the required negotiations and correspondence with them to this end, respectively.

“Nevertheless, despite their claims, these organizations refrain from fulfilling their responsibilities towards Iran.”

Azerbaijan Corrects Mistake about Origin of Zurkhaneh Sport

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Zurkhaneh

According to a Farsi report by Khabar Online, the official website of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, which are to take place in May 2017, had registered the Pahlavani and Zurkhaneh Rituals, the traditional and ancient Iranian sport, in the name of Azerbaijan.

However, it later corrected the mistake and named Iran as the origin of Zurkhaneh sport after the International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation wrote letters in this regard.

Zurkhaneh consist of two words: “zur” meaning power or strength and “khaneh” meaning house, translating to, House of Power or Strength.

Zurkhaneh2Pahlavani and Zurkhaneh rituals is the name inscribed by UNESCO for Iran’s ancient wrestling, which is a traditional system of athletics originally used to train warriors in Iran and adjacent lands.

It combines martial arts, calisthenics, strength training and music.

Recognized by UNESCO as among the world’s longest-running forms of such training, it fuses elements of pre-Islamic Persian culture (particularly Zoroastrianism and Mithraism) with the spirituality of Shiite Islam and Sufism.

Practiced in a domed structure called the Zurkhaneh, training sessions consist mainly of ritual gymnastic movements and climax with the core of combat practice, a form of submission-grappling called Pahlavani wrestling.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Newspapers today covered the remarks made by President Hassan Rouhani during a visit to southeastern province Sistan and Baluchestan about the need for cooperation with neighbouring countries.

They also covered Rouhani’s inauguration of a gas project in Zahedan, which connected the city to national gas network after decades.

The Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit in Islamabad, Pakistan, was another top story today. Newspapers referred to Rouhani’s trip to Islamabad to attend the summit, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s remarks in an address to the ECO ministerial meeting.

The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:

 

19 Dey:

1- IMF: Iran’s Banking System Needs Immediate Reforms

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Abrar:

1- Rouhani: Development of Eastern Areas, Makran Coasts among Priorities

2- Court of Audit Submits Report to Parliament on Ahmadinejad Administration’s Oil Faults

3- For First Time: Russia Ready to Create Safe Zone in Syria

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- New York Fashion Week Displays Famous Brands’ Islamic Clothes

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Advisor Explains Plans Late Ayatollah Rafsanjani Had for May Presidential Votes

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Asrar:

1- Iran’s First VP: Our Ties with Saudi Arabia Won’t Get Tenser

2- Iran Outpaces Iraq in Extracting Oil from Joint Oilfield

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Etemad:

1- Zarif in Exclusive Interview: No Country Dares to Clash with Iran

2- Iran’s Influence and Power No Disadvantage to Anyone: FM

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Ettela’at:

1- President Rouhani Inaugurates Gas Project in Deprived Province

2- Iran’s Development Needs Cooperation with Neighbours: Rouhani

3- Zarif: ECO Should Prove It’s Beneficial to All Member States

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

Iran:

1- First VP: 5,000 Unfinished Industrial Units Inaugurated This Year

2- Finally Zahedan Connected to Gas Network after Decades

3- Rouhani Leaves Iran’s Zahedan for Pakistan

4- ECO Very Important for Iran: President

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Jame Jam:

1- IRIB’s Charter for May Presidential Election

2- IRIB to Remain Neutral and Give Equal Opportunities to All Candidates: Chief

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

Javan:

1- 5 Knowledge-Based Products of Basij Forces Unveiled [in a ceremony attended by IRGC Commander, Science Minister, Basij chief, head of Islamic Azad University]

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Rouhani: ECO’s 1408 Horizon to Be Discussed in Islamabad

2- Zarif: We Need New Economic Structure to Enhance ECO Regional Convergence

3- Yemen Suffering from Drought: UN Warns to World Countries

 

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

Kayhan:

1- Mass Import of Foreign Goods, Main Barrier to Economic Growth

2- A Report on Dire Conditions of Shiites in Azerbaijan Republic

  • 60-Day Prison Term for One Salavat in Azerbaijan Republic

3- Iran Fires New Torpedo from Ghadir Submarine in Major Drill

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Khorasan:

1- Graves of Thousands of ISIS Victims Discovered in Southern Mosul

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Resalat:

1- Trump: Obama behind Protests against Me

2- Moscow: We Haven’t Asked US to Lift Anti-Russia Sanctions

3- Mayor of Tehran: We Built 100 Kilometres of Subway in 1 Year

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Seda-ye Eslahat:

1- I’ll Use Ahmadinejad in Top Ranks If I’m Elected as President: Candidate Baqaei

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

 

Shargh:

1- Expert: Rouhani’s Gov’t Has Had Amazing Economic Performance

2- First VP: Tens of Billions of Dollars Plundered

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 1

Turkey Appreciates Iran’s Support against Coup Attempt: FM

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Çavuşoğlu

A few days ago, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed dismay at the recent “improper” remarks by Turkish officials against the Islamic Republic, and recalled Iran’s supportive stance vis-à-vis the Turkish government following a failed coup attempt that sought to topple officials in Ankara in July last year.

“[Our] friends [in Turkey] apparently have a weak memory… They both have a poor memory and are ungrateful toward those who have been kind to them and supportive of them,” Zarif said in an interview with Iran last Thursday.

In reaction, Turkish FM Çavuşoğlu told IRNA on the sidelines of the 22nd meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers in Islamabad, “Mohammad Javad Zarif (Iranian foreign minister) is my brother. I always underline that on the night of July 15 last year, when there was an attempted coup in Turkey, Zarif didn’t sleep and called me four times that night and I always appreciate that.”

“Iran was with us to support our government in every minute at that night while some other countries called us days and even weeks after the attempted coup.”

Çavuşoğlu also went on to say that President Erdogan and President Rouhani would meet on the sidelines of the current ECO summit in Islamabad and the two leaders would not miss any opportunity to meet each other on different occasions which indicates close and brotherly relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Commenting on Iran and Turkey’s positions on Syria, the foreign minister said, “Iran and Turkey have common understanding to maintain ceasefire in Syria and both believe in political solution to the crisis in Syria along with delivering humanitarian assistance without any discrimination.”

“Therefore, situation in Syria, Iraq and other regional issues will be discussed between the two presidents in their meeting later today,” he said.

Çavuşoğlu believes Iran and Turkey have common understanding on various issues, but they still need to enhance their efforts to further boost bilateral cooperation.

He said the interaction between people of Iran and Turkey will also be helpful to further enhance the brotherly cooperation.

Turkish top diplomat said Turkey and Iran have the high level strategic mechanisms to discuss bilateral ties including trade and transportation, energy, investment and banking, ‘but we need to redouble our efforts to further enhance our cooperation.’

Çavuşoğlu also viewed that “Iran, Pakistan and Turkey” as the main founders of ECO can do a lot to strengthen trade and economic cooperation and maintain peace and stability in the region, but they need to get together more often and need to implement their decisions efficiently for the peace and stability in the area.

He added that both Iran and Turkey are big countries, big markets and big economies and also transit countries for the transportation and also for energy.

The Turkish foreign minister said Iran is an energy producing country and Turkey is ready to transfer Iran’s gas and energy recourses to European markets.

“Iran could also be a good transit country for other energy resources in Central Asia as it is a transit country for transportation. That is why during ECO meeting I underlined the importance of Islamabad, Tehran and Istanbul road project. There are many opportunities but as I said before, first of all we need to reenergize the Economic Cooperation Organisation, we need to reform it and we need to make it more efficient and dynamic,” said the Turkish top diplomat.

He added Turkey, Iran and Pakistan are the founding members of this organization and there are new member states but as founding members they need to play more active role.

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu called for launching more flights between the cities of Turkey and Iran. “We are ready to increase flights with Iran especially there should be direct flights from Iran to Antalya and Alanya,” he said.

He strongly believed that people to people contact between the two countries will also be helpful to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Iran’s Development Hinges on Cooperation with Neighbours

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Rouhani

Iran’s development requires cooperation with other countries, neighbours in particular, Rouhani told reporters on Tuesday before leaving the southeastern city of Zahedan for Pakistan to attend the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit.

“Relations with neighbours are very important for Iran,” he said, adding, “Most of ECO member states are Iran’s neighbours and boosting cooperation among us is also very important for the region.”

The ECO was founded by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey back in 1985. It also groups Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, Tasnim reported.

The organization had its first summit held in Tehran in 1992. The Iranian capital went on to host two more plenums. ECO’s last summit was held in the Azeri capital of Baku in 2012.

The body works toward ensuring that its members witness steady economic progress while also working to facilitate better cooperation among them.

Water in Iranian Dam Frozen in Cold Winter

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Here are Mehr’s photos of the frozen water in Mahabad Dam in Western Iran:

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Lauds IRGC’s Achievements

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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IRGC-Larijani

“We are required to express our gratitude towards the IRGC for its achievements,” Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said, according to a Farsi report by ICANA.

Speaking in a ceremony to commemorate the Iranian martyrs of the Parliament’s protection command and those who sacrificed their lives to defend the holy shrine of Hazrat Zeinab, the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in Damascus, Syria, Larijani said the IRGC was established on the very first day after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 to address the exigencies and respond to the difficult situation of the country at that time.

“The IRGC was formed to also provide the leaders and officials of the Islamic Revolution with protection, as amongst the main concerns of the Establishment in the early days after the victory of the Islamic Revolution was to ensure the security of its leaders as well as officials who said they did not need protection. Even after two terrorist acts were perpetrated by Forqan terrorist group and its next target was learnt to be Morteza Motahhari (1919-1979), an Iranian cleric, philosopher, lecturer and politician, he refused to be afforded with protection. This compelled the Establishment to make provision of protection compulsory for senior Iranian officials and leaders.”

The IRGC which is interconnected with Basij [voluntary] million-strong forces and has acted based on the responsibility placed on it by its school of thought and ideology, managed to notch up numerous successes during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988).

He said the IRGC forces are among the best forces in fulfilling the aspirations of the Islamic Revolution and remaining faithful to them, adding, since the very beginning of the IRGC’s formation, they have put in a very impressive performance in providing officials with protection, which has minimised the perpetration of terrorist acts in the country.

Larijani noted that in addition, when the country’s aviation sector was beset with a number of problems in providing protection, they, again, helped resolve them.

“Among the other moves and measures taken by the IRGC have been fighting terrorist and separationist groups.”

In the initial days following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Iraqi forces invaded Iran, he recalled, adding, at that time, everybody was willing and seeking to fight invaders.

“However, those who has [and will] sacrifice their lives to defend Hazrat Zeinab’s holy shrine, are solely seeking to protect the Islamic school and ideology — a preoccupation and an inclination which is quite unique worldwide,” he added.

Khuzestan Problems Not to Harm Its Tourism: MP

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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khuzestan-nowrouz

“The people and local authorities of Khuzestan have prepared the infrastructures to receive visitors during Nowruz [Persian New Year on mid-March],” announced Abbas Papizadeh, an Iranian lawmaker.

He further stressed that the current problems in Khuzestan won’t disturb the reception of travellers during the Iranian New Year, according to a Farsi report by ICANA.

“The dust pollution will not reduce the number of visitors. All organizations are ready to offer better services to tourists.”

He went on to say that a commission has been formed in Khuzestan to provide better travelling services.

The municipalities and village administrators at this province have also prepared better accommodation and public facilities than the previous years, he added.

“Khuzestan’s lodgings, hotels, schools and mosques are ready to receive the travellers. There is no problem in offering services to them.”

Iran to Base 50% of Products on Knowledge-Based Methods

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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knowledge-based

Iran’s Deputy Science Minister for Research and Technology Vahid Ahmadi says knowledge-based production in Iran is far less than what is set as the country’s goal for 2025, according to a report by IFP.

“Based on the plan, 50% of Iranian good must be high-tech by 2025, produced based on knowledge and technology.”

“Considering the current growth rate and international collaborations, the goal is within reach, though,” he added. “Our conditions are good in the fields of biotechnology, nano-technology, and information technology.”

He further noted that the Ministry is trying to make way for knowledge-based companies by using its legal assets to establish relations between them and the academic subsets and other scientific parks, as well as issuing permits and giving funds.

Despite the high added value of products in technology parks, the credits aren’t still enough. “We are trying to solve these problems.”

“The Resistance Economy [introduced by Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Khamenei] cannot be realised unless we focus on science, technology and knowledge-based economy,” he stressed.

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