Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi in a joint press conference with Minister of Information and Telecommunications of Serbia Dejan Ristic in Belgrade, welcomed the signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries in the areas of telecommunications infrastructure development, digital economy, and e-government.
“The agreements are the beginning of a fruitful future,” he said on Thursday and thanked
President Aleksandar Vučić and his Serbian counterpart for their warm
hospitality.
“This historic meeting demonstrates the shared will of Iran and Serbia to
expand relations in strategic areas. In this meeting, I conveyed the message of
the Iranian President, which demonstrates the will of the two countries to
expand relations,” he said referring to the meeting with the Serbian president.
Iran, Serbia bridge East-West
The ICT Minister said, "These meetings provided an opportunity to
discuss the expansion of bilateral relations in the field of communications and
information technology," adding, “The relations between Iran and Serbia
are of strategic importance. “
“The two countries, with their rich history, prominent culture, and
privileged geographical location, can be a bridge between the East and the
West. The cooperation between the two countries not only contributes to
economic and technical development, but also helps strengthen regional peace
and stability.”
Referring to the cooperation agreement between the two countries, he said:
The development of telecommunications infrastructure such as optical fiber and
cloud data centers, facilitating data transit and improving postal cooperation,
strengthening the digital economy and implementing e-government projects, joint
investment in technology research and development, and coordination in
regulation are the most important items of the agreement between the two
countries.
Trans-regional model
Hashemi also described the signing of the joint cooperation agreements as
an opportunity that “will not only transform the communication infrastructure
of the two countries, but will also be a model for trans-regional cooperation
to consolidate peace and stability.”
Giant step to development
In the press conference, Serbian Minister of Information and
Telecommunications Dejan Ristic referred to the historical and cultural commonalities
between the two countries, describing these cooperation agreements as “a giant
step for creating opportunities for innovation and economic growth.”
“By conjoining our capabilities,
Serbia and Iran can present a successful model of international cooperation
that reduces distances and makes friendships sustainable.”
Two rounds of talks
Prior to this press conference, the ICT ministers of Iran and Serbia held
two intensive rounds of negotiations to discuss ways to strengthen
technological relations.
Hashemi and Ristic discussed the development of bilateral cooperation in
the fields of technology, communication infrastructure and the digital economy,
and emphasized Tehran and Belgrade's commitment to strengthening cooperation in
various ICT fields and implementing the areas of the joint memorandum of
understanding.
“The development of communication infrastructure can become the main factor
for the progress of the digital economy and a vital platform for the successful
implementation of the idea of e-government and creating a platform for the
growth of start-up businesses,” he told his counterpart.
The Iranian ICT Minister pointed out the necessity of developing postal
cooperation and data transit between the two countries, saying, “Improving
cooperation in the field of postal and data transfer facilitates services to
citizens of the two countries and is an effective step in realizing sustainable
relations.”
Innovation MoU
Hashemi termed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on investment
between the two countries for "technology research and development"
the key to achieving innovation, and said: These collaborations are an
opportunity to shape joint scientific projects and develop advanced
technologies, which will bring many common benefits to both countries.
Ristic also emphasized the priority given to cooperation in the fields of
data and postal services.
"Facilitating data transit and strengthening postal services are the
foundation for realizing the digital economy and e-government. These agreements
demonstrate our commitment to partnership with Iran."
He said the development of communication infrastructures such as fiber
optics and cloud data centers are a necessity to improve the quality of
services.
Strategic bilateral ties
During his visit to Belgrade, the Iranian ICT Minister also met Serbian
President Aleksandar Vučić and announced Iran's readiness to enhance
cooperation with the Republic of Serbia at a strategic level.
In the meeting which
was held within the framework of pursuing the Iranian government's technology
diplomacy and developing bilateral relations, Hashemi presented the official
message from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to his Serbian counterpart.