Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 1
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Tehran and Beijing share similar viewpoints in important global and regional issues, the Islamic Republic's official IRNA news agency reported Nov. 1.
Zarif made the remarks during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of Beijing Foreign Ministerial Conference of "the Istanbul Process on Afghanistan" on Oct. 31.
Istanbul Process is an agreement reached in 2011 by 14 regional and 16 extra- regional countries, as well as 12 international organizations. According to the agreement, the members should do their best to establish security and stability in Afghanistan.
Istanbul Process has had three meetings so far, two of which were held in Turkey and one in Tajikistan. Beijing was the host of the fourth meeting.
Iranian FM called the fourth meeting successful and emphasized that boosting cooperation with China in mutual, regional and global issues is a priority for Tehran.
He said that the Islamic Republic seeks to establish strategic relations with Beijing.
Chinese foreign minister, for his part, praised Iran's support for regional cooperation particularly in Afghanistan.
Wang Yi said that Iran's role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and resolving the country's problems is important.
Zarif arrived in Beijing on Oct. 30. He addressed the Istanbul Process on Afghanistan meeting and held talks with President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi, his Pakistani, Turkmen and Turkish counterparts and a number of other officials.
Iranian Foreign Minister left Beijing for Tehran on Nov. 1 morning.