Samuel Santos López, who is visiting Tehran, attended a joint press conference with Mohammad Javad Zarif, his Iranian counterpart yesterday and expressed gratitude for what he called ‘Iranian hospitality.’
“Nicaragua has always supported Tehran’s rights to peaceful nuclear technology and program,” he said. “We discussed with Mr. Zarif about drastic improvements in Nicaragua’s social and economic conditions after Mr.José Daniel Ortega Saavedra formed the cabinet,” he added, giving as example the growth of 400 per cent in economy.
“In public education and health we have gone long way forward, and the amount of foreign investments in the country are increasing in daily basis, widely attributed to the security provided by the government by the international institutions which believe Nicaragua is the safe haven for investors,” he added.
Nicaraguan foreign minister also pointed to the role played by unions and private and cooperative sector in the attraction of investments. “In retrospect, when we see the year 2007, we find considerable growth, for example in infrastructure and health sector,” he said, “now 52 per cent of energy consumed by Nicaraguans is clean and environment-friendly.”
He said that Nicaragua had always supported Iran’s nuclear rights in the UN and expressed hope that ties between the two countries would improve even further.
He also visited Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani in a separate meeting. Rouhani described the nature of Iran and Nicaraguan relations based on close cultural ties.
Santos López believed that Iran and Nicaragua had shaped their foreign policy based on shared principles of protecting their independence and defying the interventionist powers. “Both countries are beside each other in critical points in international communities,” he said.
Rouhani called for more ‘close and cordial ties’ in economic and cultural aspects. He also expressed gratitude to the good offices of Nicaraguan government in restoring peace and stability in this Central American country. “The prosperity and security for people in Nicaragua is important for Iran,” Rouhani said.
President also welcomed Iranian investments by private sector in Nicaragua. “Our investors should be provided with necessary information on the investment opportunities in Nicaragua,” Rouhani demanded.
SH/ZK
MNA
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