A senior diplomat said the approval of Iran's application to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will prepare the ground for closer economic relations between Tehran and the organization's 10 members.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour made the statement in Singapore on Monday, IRNA reported.
He said Iran, as a major power in West Asia that enjoys vast natural resources and strategic position, has the potential to upgrade economic ties with the Southeast Asian bloc.
"Accession to the treaty is an opportunity for Iran to boost political and economic collaboration with this important and growing international organization," he said.
Rahimpour said the acceptance of Iran's application shows that many countries are eager to work with Iran in the post-JCPOA era.
The July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers, officially named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, under which international sanctions on Iran were removed, has encouraged the international community and businesses to restore or strike economic partnerships in the Iranian market.
TAC is a treaty among Southeast Asian countries established by the founding members of ASEAN.
According to ASEAN's website, the purpose of the treaty is to promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation among their peoples, which would contribute to their strength, solidarity and closer relationship.
Peace-Loving Nation
Iran's ambassador to Malaysia and non-resident envoy to ASEAN, Valiollah Mohammadi, said the accession will help Iran present the "peace-loving" nature of its foreign policy to the world.
"By joining this treaty, Iran, once again, says to the world that it is a peace-loving country that seeks peace and stability not only in its surrounding environment, but also in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.
The bill to join TAC was passed by the Iranian Parliament in 2013 and the country submitted its request in the same year. ASEAN foreign ministers agreed to Iran's request on Sunday, during the 49th foreign ministerial meeting at the National Convention Center in Laos.
Since its formation in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, ASEAN's membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Its principal objective includes accelerating economic, social and cultural development among its members, alongside the protection of regional stability and the provision of a mechanism for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.
