Iran says the Islamic Republic and Japan can work together toward the betterment of Middle Eastern countries.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made the remarks while meeting with Japan�s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Wednesday.

�One of the most important roots of terrorism in the region is poverty and the absence of development,� he said, adding,��Through mutual cooperation, Iran and Japan can work together toward the advancement and development of the countries of the region and diminish the grounds for poverty through mutual economic cooperation.�

Also on Wednesday, the Iranian chief executive addressed a public session of the Asian-African Conference (AAC) in Jakarta, calling for a global fight against terrorism and expressing the Islamic Republic�s readiness to cooperate with its neighbors, including Arab countries, in the anti-terror campaign.

The Iranian and Japanese statesmen also discussed key bilateral issues, with Rouhani pointing to the positive bilateral relations.

�Tehran is keen on the development of cooperation with Tokyo in matters of interest, especially the scientific, technological, ecological, and economic areas,� he noted.

He referred to the extensive presence of big companies from Europe and other world countries in Iran, saying, �Japan can also avail itself of the opportunities for economic cooperation with Iran.�

Abe, for his part, said the two countries� cooperation in humanitarian, environmental, and drug enforcement areas still continue�and that Japan hopes the two countries could also cooperate in the medical areas.

He also expressed hope for the development of the countries� cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology and nuclear safety and security.

By Press TV