REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Iranian Naval Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Dr. Habibollah Sayyari has expressed hope the Iranian Navy would sign an agreement with the Indonesian Navy in the future as a first step to enhance cooperation.

"We are glad and thankful to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) for its invitation to attend this symposium," Sayyari said during an interview with Antara in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Sayyari met with Indonesian Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio on Tuesday on the sidelines of the three-day International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS) which ended on Wednesday.

At the meeting, the two naval chiefs exchanged views and explored the possibility of the two navies signing a future agreement.

"We could know each other more closely through this meeting," said Sayyari, who was accompanied by a number of Iranian naval officers.

Indonesia is an archipelagic state which has vast waters, abundant resources and great influence in the region, he said.

TNI AL has a professional ability to maintain security in the sovereign territory of the country, Sayyari added.

Sayyari said he also met with a number of his counterparts from China, Japan, India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, France and Qatar during the symposium.

He noted that this symposium was very important to forge relations with navies from other countries.

The symposium, which was held from December 9 to 11, was aimed at discussing the latest issues related to security and activities in the region.

Representatives from 55 countries representing the Indian Oceans Naval Symposium (IONS) and the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) took part in the event.

Indonesia's Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio said earlier that the symposium was the first of its kind to bring together 32 navies from as many countries.

"Through the symposium, we will aim to showcase Indonesia's role at sea," he stated.

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