Interaction, tolerance, cooperation key to scientific, technological promotion in past, future of Islam

Upon arrival at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, Dr Rouhani was welcomed by First Vice-president Dr Jahangiri and Advisor to the Supreme Leader in International Affairs Dr Velayati.

During the visit to Kazakhstan that took place at an official invitation by the President of Kazakhstan, Dr Rouhani participated in the 1st Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit on Science and Technology, and had meetings with Presidents of Kazakhstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Venezuela and discussed the most important issues in bilateral relations and regional and international issues with them.

Speaking to reporters at Mehrabad Airport, Dr Rouhani said: “Science and technology are very important for advancements of countries, power of Islamic countries and settling the issues of the Islamic World”.

“The reason why the Islamic World had been able to attract great scientists and produce science was that it engaged in interaction and tolerance with scientists,” he added, referring to his speech at the OIC summit earlier today in which he described interaction, tolerance, and cooperation as keys to scientific and technological promotion in that past, and the future of Islam.

He also mentioned the special meeting of the OIC member states on Myanmar and added:
“Although there was not enough time to discuss, but all participating countries stressed the importance of putting the government of Myanmar under pressure to stop genocide, and they were unanimous about it”.

“In my meeting with the President of Turkey, we discussed the new window opened in relations between the two countries. Relations with Turkey are good today and there is a new opportunity to develop security and military cooperation,” he continued.

Dr Rouhani continued: “We also discussed President Erdogan’s plans to visit Tehran, as well as cooperation between Iran, Turkey and Russia about establishing peace in Syria and combatting terrorism”.

“In my meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, we discussed cooperation in the field of transit and rail connection, as well as investment in Rasht-Astara railway,” he said adding that the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan was the 9th in the past 4 years.

The President added: “In my meeting with the President of Kazakhstan we discussed bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation. Relations have been always growing and the two countries have constructive cooperation about peace in Syria, energy, agriculture and other economic fields”.

Referring to his meeting with the new President of Uzbekistan, he said: “Today, we decided with the new President of this country to deepen economic and cultural ties”.

My meeting with the President of Venezuela was positive, he said, adding: “We discussed Latin American issues and US threats on this country and the Latin America, as well as development of relations and cooperation in the field of energy and improving the oil market”.

Stating that the trip to Kazakhstan was the first foreign trip in the 12th Administration, he said: “I hope we take new steps in all fields to serve the peoples of the region and the world and reach the goal of security and stability as long-term goals”.



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