Iran to enhance ties with African countries: Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic is determined to develop relations with African countries, particularly Niger.

“Iran and Niger enjoy [before them] a vast area for cooperation in different sectors,” Zarif said in a meeting with Niger’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim Yacouba in Tehran on Monday.

“Iran and Niger can have more close cooperation in various political, economic, regional and international fields and the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to expand relations and deepen cooperation with Niger,” he added.

The top Iranian diplomat noted that the two countries have the potential to cooperate in the economic arena including infrastructures, transportation, banking interaction, agriculture, mines, energy and investment.

‘Niger ready to open embassy in Tehran’

Niger’s foreign minister, for his part, said Iran plays an important role in the region and across the world and expressed his country’s readiness to bolster relations with the Islamic Republic.

Niger is ready to open an embassy in Tehran and keen to hold more consultations and political talks with Iran, Yacouba added.

He called for a session of the two countries’ joint economic commission to be held as soon as possible and invited his Iranian counterpart to pay an official visit to Niamey.