REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia and Iran agreed on Thursday to promoted economic, social and cultural cooperation, which would be mutually beneficial to the two countries.

The agreement was reached at a bilateral meeting between President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of Asian African summit meeting held here to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Asian African Conference (AAC), cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto said.

"The two Muslim predominantly countries stressed on the importance of cultural cooperation," Andi said.

The two countries agreed to prevent the spread of terrorism and sectarianism on behalf of religions.

Jokowi and Hassan Rouhani also discussed way of reviving bilateral trade which has been on the decline lately.

A number of Iranian investors have indicated interest in taking part in infrastructure development in the country, he said.

In a meeting earlier with a number of Muslim countries grouped in the Islam Conference Organization (ICO) Jokowi proposed a task force to prepare a frameworks of strategy, communications and methods to follow up each meeting.

The task force is needed to deal with three big problems of global concern including recognition of independent state of Palestine, terrorism and radicalism and regional conflicts, Jokowi said.

Jokowi has also met with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O Cha discussing ways of eradicating illegal fishing by Thai fishermen in Indonesian waters.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan O Cha pledged to punish Thai fishermen committing illegal fishing in Indonesian waters.

Indonesia has detained many foreign fishing vessel most from Thailand found operating illegally in the country's waters.

The Indonesian government has adopted a tougher policy against illegal fishing by ordering the explosion and sinking of the fishing boats.

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