Iran eager to expand ties with African states: Pres. Rouhani

The Iranian president reiterated that private sectors should be encouraged more for investment in the two countries, the president emphasized.

President Rouhani made the remarks on Saturday when he received the credentials of the new Ambassador of African country Viangina Di Yaya Vekure to Tehran.

'The Islamic people have special interest in the African people due to the historical background and struggles of Africa and the conditions of today's continent,' the Iranian president said, adding, 'Iran is ready for joint cooperation with Mali in the field of science and academia as well as in the agricultural sector.” 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran continues its technical cooperation with Mali, especially in the health sector, and Iran's agricultural engineers are also ready to be more active in this country,' President Rouhani added. 

Pointing to the beginning of the mission of the new Mali's ambassador to Tehran on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the victory of the glorious Islamic Revolution, President Rouhani highlighted that despite the pressure of some great powers, today the Iranian people are much more ready to defend their national interests in a more spirited and more vibrant manner than 40 years ago. 

The president, wishing success for the new African ambassador during his mission in Tehran, and expressed the hope for the development and expansion of bilateral relations.

President Rouhani called Mali as a friend of Iran in the African continent, and said, 'The leaders of the two countries are close in bilateral and regional issues and we need to use economic capacities to develop further relations.'

The new ambassador of Mali in Tehran also lauded the Iranian nation and government for providing assistance to the country, and said, 'The two countries have good relations in the field of politics and have common positions in international affairs, and I am here to bring economic relations up to level of political affairs.'