Feb 2, 2015, 7:39 PM

Amir-Abdollahian meets African heads

Amir-Abdollahian meets African heads

TEHRAN, Feb. 02 (MNA) – Iran’s deputy-FM for Arab and African Affairs is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 24th African Union Summit.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with a number of leaders and officials of the black continent including Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who stressed on Iran’s active participation especially in agriculture and health sectors of the country, adding that “both countries have many opportunities to expand further cooperation.”

Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, expressed gratitude for Mr. Mahama’s efforts to boost bilateral ties, emphasizing on expanding cooperation with Ghana.   

In his Saturday meeting Amir-Abdollahian discussed with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba ‘measures bringing unprecedented decline in oil price,’ and emphasized that the trend should be stopped somewhere.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe was among the leaders with whom Amir-Abdollahian met during his visit to Ethiopia. Mugabe stressed upon common positions of the two countries on regional and international issues and described Iran-Zimbabwe relations setting a good example for the other countries.

Iran’s deputy-FM praised Zimbabwe’s independent position in the face of hegemonic powers’ influence. In meeting with Madagascar’s President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Amir-Abdollahian expressed hopes that the volume of trade between Iran and Madagascar grow in proportion to both countries capacities. Mr. Rajaonarimampianina believed that appointing Iranian new ambassador to Antananarivo indicated improvement in bilateral relations.

Ethiopian deputy-FM Gebre-Christos welcomed expansion of ties with Iran in the wake of economic and industrial advances of Islamic Republic. “Iran could be a good trade partner for Ethiopia,” said Mr. Gebre-Christos.

Amir-Abdollahian hailed possible improvements in bilateral relations, and emphasized on the return of stability and peace in Horn of Africa. In meeting with members of Ethiopia-Iran parliamentary friendship group, he believed that parliamentary diplomacy could help promote relations, recommending more serious initiatives in providing new opportunities in bilateral relations.

Ethiopian members of parliamentary friendship group welcomed expanded bilateral trade with Iran.

 

TGH/SH
MNA
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News ID 105825

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