Iran, IMO set to step up maritime cooperation

Secretary General of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) expressed optimism about the future cooperation with Iran, official IRNA news agency reported on Thursday.

Kitack Lim said that "Iran is one of the most important members of the IMO and it has always been active in terms of representations to the IMO meetings."

"I am very much optimistic about the future activities and representation of Iran at IMO and am very confident for working closely with the Iranian government. I look forward to more cooperation between IMO and Iran," he made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to the UK, Hamid Baeidinejad.

Baeidinejad also said that Tehran is seeking to promote cooperation with the IMO.

After years of limited relations with the organization due to the western sanctions on Iran, a new chapter has now opened for collaboration which will hopefully entail great achievements for the Islamic republic, the Iranian envoy said.

Iran is among active maritime industry in the world with a large volume of oil and cargo exchanges through sea routes, he said.

After removal of the sanctions, Iran's situation in the fields of shipping and marine has reached a desirable level, Baeidinejad said, adding that given its major capacities, Iran can have a powerful presence in the world seas. Endit