Indonesia opens wider opportunity for cooperation with Iran

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will open wider opportunity for cooperation with Iran in the field of culture, tourism, social, as well as economy, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said here on Tuesday. 

"We are so serious to open our cooperation relation through cultural bridge with Iran. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has visited Iran, and it was reciprocated by his Iranian counterpart Ahmadinejad to visit Indonesia later. Now is time for me at ministerial level to improve the two countries cooperation relations in various fields," Jero Wacik told the press after opening "Iran Cultural Week" at National Museum. 

According to the minister, on of the examples of good cooperation between the two countries was the activity of cultural exchange which has just been dedicated. 

"Last year I brought Indonesian cultural mission to Iran and this year Iran comes to Indonesia to introduce its art and culture, and it is an important effort to cultivate mutual understanding between the two countries," Jero Wacik said. 

Meanwhile, Iranian presidential adviser and the chairman of the Organization of Iranian Islamic Cultural Relation Dr Mehdi Mostafavi said art and cultural cooperation was an instrument to unite the two countries in economic, and educational relation. 

Jero Wacik said the cooperation between the two countries was marked with a direct flight between Jakarta and Tehran which is to start on March 18 this year. 

He said the direct flight between the two capital cities was expected to increase the number of Iranian tourists visiting Indonesia. 

"Then, after the direct flight between Jakarta and Tehran is successful and nothing intervenes, we will continue with direct flight from Tehran to Denpasar, Bali," Jero Wacik said. 

He said the Iranian Cultural Week at National Museum would last from March 3-10 and the visitors were expected to enjoy Iranian traditional music performance, contemporary paintings and miniature, calligraphy, film, and books on Iranian history, art and culture.