President Hassan Rouhani made the remarks while receiving Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa Baleka Mbete in Tehran on Saturday.
Mr. Rouhani referred to economy, mining, and energy as the areas of mutual interest for joint initiatives and export of technical and engineering services.
Referring to the support of the Iranian nation for anti-apartheid fights of South African people under Nelson Mandela, President Rouhani voiced content with the development and boost of Tehran-Pretoria ties in the years after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Pointing to the last year visit of South African president to Tehran, he described the visit highly efficient for improving the bilateral friendly ties.
Rouhani also touched upon financial relations between the two countries and voiced hope for further increase in bilateral banking relations.
“Improving joint cooperation in tourism, the people of the two countries can get familiar with cultural, natural and historic attractions of each country, so that the relations may get stronger and cemented,” reiterated the Iranian president.
Saying that Iran and South Africa share same grounds on a host of international and regional issues, the Iranian top executive asserted that the two countries can share initiatives in the international communities to contribute to global peace and stability and to secure the interests of developing countries.
Baleka Mbete, for her part, voiced the resolute will of Pretoria for significant development and enhancement of relations with Tehran.
She also articulated the eager voice of her country’s people and president for Dr. Rouhani’s visit to South Africa.
“We are willing to have broader and deeper ties with Tehran and South Africa’s National Assembly backs the efforts for this cause. She asserted that the member of the National Assembly of South Africa are eager for Iran’s more involvement in developing projects of their country.
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