The Islamic Republic of Iran has formally requested for a grant of observer status in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

A formal letter in this regard has been handed over to the secretary-general of SAARC by the director-general for West Asia Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran this week.

The Iranian envoy, Rasool Islami, after a meeting with Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji, secretary-general of SAARC, in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, noted that Tehran's membership in this organization will be beneficial to both Iran and SAARC because of Iran's geographical position and economic strength.

Noting that Iran has close relations with member countries of SAARC, Islami asked for membership in the regional organization.

The SAARC secretary-general, while expressing his happiness over the close relations of SAARC countries with Iran, said that its inclusion in the association would be beneficial to both sides.

He said that Iran's request will be sent to the chairperson and other members of SAARC.

He said that the request for membership would be taken up for discussion during the meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of SAARC member countries in April this year in New Delhi.

Founded in 1985, the SAARC includes Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

China, Japan, South Korea, the United States and the European Union are observers of the organization that will attend the 14th SAARC summit slated to be held on April 3-4, 2007.

Source: Xinhua