TEHRAN -- Malaysia is a multiethnic Southeast Asian country with a population of 23 million. It is a constitutional monarchy organized as a federation of states.

Iran and Malaysia have a very important and special place among developing countries. Tehran and Kuala Lumpur have many common political positions. Through close cooperation they could help realize President Mohammad Khatami's idea of dialogue among civilizations.

Following is the text of an interview with Zahra Shojai; the director of the Women's Participation Center and an advisor of President Khatami, in which she discussed her experiences in Malaysia.

Q: Mrs. Shojai, you accompanied President Khatami on his trip to Malaysia as a member of a high-ranking Iranian delegation. How do you think your presence changed the world's view of the status of Iranian women? A: Without any doubt, women's participation in important official missions to other countries leaves an impression which changes ideas and attitudes about the status of Iranian women. In reality, their tangible presence and their obvious participation in various fields, especially politics, is clear and becoming more important in relation to Islamic countries as far as presenting a real model of a contemporary Muslim woman.

Q: You and the Malaysian minister of women's and family affairs signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in women's and family affairs. In your opinion, how can this MOU improve the situation of Iranian women? A: Singing such MOUs can pave the way for exchanging experiences and information and can have an effect on improving conditions for women.

Seriously following its articles is the first step in this direction.

Q: This MOU mentions cooperation between the two countries' women's NGOs in the areas of raising the status of women, national development, and strengthening the family. You are the highest-ranking Iranian official in the area of women's affairs. How do you evaluate our women's NGOS and their readiness to participate in this? A: It has been stated in the MOU that the two parties should try to facilitate cooperation between NGOS in the field of women's and family affairs. This will create a suitable framework for cooperation between the two sides and a good opportunity to exchange information.

In recent years, Malaysian women have sought to increase their participation in political and social activities. They have pursued their goals by establishing various foundations and organizations for defending women's rights.

Cooperation with them will give a boost to Iranian women's causes. Besides this, these NGOS can also promote tourism.

Q: What are the other articles of the MOU? A: The other articles entail strengthening women's role in national development and the family, supporting common efforts in the field of women's and family affairs, cooperation in supporting women through comparative studies, cooperation between scientific centers of the two countries, preparing and holding workshops and seminars, forming a common team for doing all this as well as holding negotiations and making annual visits in order to reach conclusions at the level of high-ranking officials, exchanging information in the field of women's and family affairs, exchanging experts, students, and professors, and making use of Malaysia's great experience in the field of IT.

Q: How do you view conditions for Malaysian women in comparison with conditions for Iranian women? A: The establishment of the ministry of women's and family affairs by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed indicates that he is very determined to make use of women's ideas and talents at a high level of the state and that he is opposed to discrimination against women and that the government is serious about using women's abilities for the development of the country.

Q: Describe women's institutions in Malaysia? A: In recent years, many women's affairs groups, organizations, and societies have been formed in order to assist the government in creating a democratic society and fulfilling women's expectations.

Q: Although Malaysia's population is one-third of Iran's population, Malaysia has a ministry of women's and family affairs. Don't you think our country needs such a ministry? A: Such ministries can not by themselves guarantee equal rights for women and a good solution to problems. Now, in our country the Management and Planning Organization is trying to establish an appropriate structure for women's affairs.

Therefore, we should devise efficient and useful strategies to improve conditions for women.