Iran’s Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani held talks with Ghana’s National Security Coordinator Yaw Donkor in Tehran on Monday, stressing the expansion of ties between Iran and African countries, especially the members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Shamkhani considered discrimination, economic and cultural impoverishment as reasons that could provoke young people into joining terrorist groups, saying “the international community must, in addition to collective efforts to eradicate these roots, remove the conditions which lead to the formation of terrorism as the major threat to security and stability in the world.”
The Iranian senior official noted the double standards adopted by certain countries over the years which have been the origin of terrorism but now make claims for forming an anti-terrorism coalition, adding “without any doubt, persisting on failed experiences and talking about sending troops to Syria without having the country’s consent will only escalate the crisis and further complicate the current situation.”
Shamkhani’s remark was in response to Saudi Arabia’s decision to deploy 150 thousand troops to Syria which was welcomed by the US but came under harsh criticism from Russia and the Syrian government.
Shamkhani then deemed Ghana as a land of ample opportunities for increasing cooperation and expanding economic, political and trade relations between the two countries, adding “the Islamic Republic’s priority for developing strategic ties is with those countries that did not yield to the pressure from the hegemonic powers during the sanctions era and maintained their relation with Iran.”
Yaw Donkor, for his part, highlighted the need for expanding cooperation between the two countries, saying “we are keen on benefiting from Iran’s security experiences and advice, particularly in the fight against terrorism.”
Earlier on Sunday, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei received Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama who headed a delegation to Tehran. Ghana's president also attended a joint press conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and stressed expansion of bilateral ties. President Mahama was accompanied on this visit by his ministers of foreign affairs, oil and energy, economy, agriculture, development and natural resources.
MS/3557145
Your Comment