Iran calls for more cooperation among D8 member states

An Iranian deputy foreign minister underlined the vital importance of the 8 Muslim Developing Countries, known as the D8 Group, and called on the group's senior officials to set a role model for the entire Muslim world through utilizing their countries' abundant potentials. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Iranian Expatriates Affairs Hassan Qashqavi said on Sunday that Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Egypt with a population of one billion constitute D8 members, adding that cooperation and convergence among them can serve as a role model for promoting cooperation among all the Muslim nations. He further said that the D8 member states' consular officials are scheduled to convene in Tehran on February 17 to discuss the ways of expansion of ties, including facilitation of issuance of visas for the businessmen and tourists from member states. Underscoring the significance of the meeting, he said that high capacities in consular cooperation can promise a growth in public communications as well as interaction among the member states. The objectives of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation are to improve member states’ position in the global economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at the international level, and improve standards of living. D-8 is a global arrangement rather than a regional one, as the composition of its members reflects.