Ahmadinejad: Expansion Of Ties With Africa, Irrevocable Policy Of Iran

Tehran, April 15, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here on Sunday that expansion of relations with Africa is an irrevocable and absolute policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Speaking to reporters before leaving Tehran to start his three-nation tour of Africa, President Ahmadinejad said expansion of relations with Africa is among absolute, irrevocable and principled policies of Iran. He said cooperation with independent states is of significance for progress, promotion of potentials of the independent states, formation of the front of independent states against the colonialists, bullying power sand colonialists and promotion of cultural and political cooperation. Speaking as periodic chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, President Ahmadinejad said Iran has good and long-term relations with the African states and the ties have been growing since recent years. He added that thus far, he had visited almost half the African states, meeting with the officials and presidents of the countries and signing many contracts with them. The president said visit to three African countries of Benin, Niger and Ghana is on invitation of the three countries’ presidents and during the visits many memorandums of understanding would be signed for expansion of relations and investment in many economic, energy, power, trade, cultural and tourism domains. He noted that expansion of health and medicare relations with the three African states is among goals of the visit. He added that meetings and discussions with presidents of the countries and presence in parliaments of the states as well as meetings and talks with the elites and academics are among other goals. “Also, we will try to consolidate ties and take more giant strides for all-out expansion of relations.”/end