Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with visiting South African deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in Tehran on Monday stressed the need for taking advantage of the extensive capacities and opportunities in Iran and South Africa for developing relations and all-out cooperation between the two countries.
Rouhani deemed necessary the expansion of cultural and academic cooperation, saying “Iran’s scientific and research centers will warmly welcome South Africa’s young and academic generation.”
He also added that the two countries have access to an extensive ground for developing economic and trade relations in the fields of industry, mines, agriculture and new technologies; “with the new opportunities presented to us thanks to Iran’s nuclear accord with the 5+1 group of countries and the lift of sanctions, we must be able to further increase Tehran-Pretoria relations,” said Rouhani.
The President then maintained that the Islamic Republic has a unique strategic position in the region and its southern ports can serve as a link between Central Asia and even Eastern Europe with South Africa.
He also called for the two countries’ cooperation in the fight against terrorism, adding “fighting this global scourge requires a comprehensive cultural-intelligence plan and collective cooperation of all countries.”
For his part, Ramaphosa noted the two countries’ similar approaches toward various bilateral and international issues, saying “the prospect of sanctions relief has presented to us a new opportunity to further develop ties with Iran. We are keen on boosting cooperation with the Islamic Republic based on mutual interest.”
South African deputy President Ramaphosa is leading a high-level delegation of government and business leaders on a working visit to Iran. He had held talks with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday.
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