Harare, July 27, IRNA � Iran's minister of cooperatives, labor and social welfare said here that expansion of cooperation in various fields with the African states is the Iranian government's priority.

Upon arrival in the Zimbabwean capital on Sunday, Ali Rabiei told IRNA that Iran will never forget its friends it had before the Vienna deal on July 14.

Nuclear agreement with the six world powers will provide more grounds for international cooperation; however, Iran will never put aside its friends including Zimbabwe before the landmark nuclear deal, said Rabiei.

About his trip to Harare, Rabiei said he is planned to revive Tehran-Harare friendly ties in various fields.

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, Tehran and Harare settled good political and economic relations, said he.

During his stay here, Rabiei and his delegation are to review the grounds for further bilateral cooperation.

Iran and Zimbabwe enjoy the same stance on many international developments, said the Iranian minister, adding his travel to Harare is also aimed at making the top Zimbabwean officials informed of the nuclear agreement.

The Iranian minister is now in Zimbabwe to attend the 8th Tehran-Harare Joint Permanent Commission on July 27-30.

He was welcomed by the Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi upon arrival on Sunday afternoon.

For his part, the Zimbabwean foreign minister said his country's officials are so eager to be informed of the process of nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1.

He said there are many grounds that the two countries can use to expand economic cooperation.

The Zimbabwean minister further described the joint commission as another opportunity for fostering bilateral cooperation.

Rabiei and Mumbengegwi will co-chair the 8th Joint Permanent Commission on behalf of Iran and Zimbabwe respectively.

The seventh Joint Permanent Commission between the two countries was held three years ago in the Iranian capital.

The Iranian minister is scheduled to meet with senior Zimbabwean officials on the sidelines of the joint commission here.

By IRNA