Iranian Navy logistics vessel the Kharg arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday. The ship is carrying hundreds of cadets from an Iranian naval academy and will be docked in Tanjung Priok Port until Feb. 28.

In a statement issued by the Iranian Embassy in Jakarta, the embassy’s defense attache, Col. Mohammad Berhrouz, said that the visit from the vessel was part of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Indonesian-Iranian diplomatic relationship.

“Iran and Indonesia began diplomatic ties in 1950. A string of celebratory events will be held to commemorate this [moment],” he said.

One of many items on the anniversary agenda is the visit of both countries’ vessels. “Today it is the turn of the Kharg to visit Jakarta,” Behrouz said Tuesday.

The Kharg departed from Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port carrying 300 cadets from the Imam Khomeini Naval University of Noshahr and will be visiting Jakarta for four days.

“[It] will anchor off Tanjung Priok today on Feb. 25 and will leave Indonesia on Feb. 28.”

Indonesia, Behrouz added, was one of the closest friends Iran had. Both have been working together in multiple areas including in defense cooperation.

Military personnel from both countries have paid visits to one another and there is a good intention between them to expand cooperation, according to Behrouz.

“Iran and Indonesia bear a strategic and prominent role in maintaining security in West and East Asia, especially in each of the countries’ sovereign waters – the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca,” Behrouz said.

During its time in Jakarta, the Iranian delegation will have meetings with officials from the Indonesian Navy, hold an Open Ship and play sports along with cadets from the Indonesian Naval Academy.

Source » thejakartapost