TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian underlined that Tehran attaches special importance to the progress and enduring security of the African continent.
"Iran supports development and sustainable security in East Africa," Amir Abdollahian said in a meeting with visiting Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mahboub Maalim in Tehran on Monday.

The IGAD executive secretary, for his part, pointed to the status quo of Iran-IGAD cooperation, and said, "Broadening of cooperation between IGAD and Iran is of paramount importance."

The two sides discussed practical ways to broaden Iran-IGAD cooperation in Africa, including in agriculture, implementation of water, electricity and watershed projects.

Amir Abdollahian and Maalim also agreed on preparing a document to determine the framework of Iran-IGAD cooperation.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is an eight-country trade bloc in Eastern Africa. It includes governments from the Horn of Africa, Nile Valley, and the African Great Lakes. Its headquarters are in Djibouti City.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development was established in 1986. It succeeded the earlier Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), a multinational body founded in 1986 by Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, with a focus on development and environmental control. IGADD's headquarters were later moved to Djibouti, following an agreement signed in January 1986 by the member states. Eritrea joined the organization in 1993, upon achieving independence.

In recent years, Iran has sought hard to boost ties and cooperation with Africa.

Iran is an observing member of the African Union (AU) and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings.

By Fars News Agency

 

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