April 10, The Iran Project - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived early Monday (April 8) in Senegal as part of his four-nation tour, which will also take him to Namibia, Brazil and Uruguay at the head of a high-level political and economic team.

Zarif's stay in Senegal witnessed meetings with Senegalese Speaker Moustapha Niasse who also serves as the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, President Macky Sall as well as his counterpart Sidiki Kaba.

Upon arrival in Senegal, Zarif said Iran enjoys good relations with Senegal and there is good economic cooperation, adding that Senegal is an important country in Africa.

During a meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the President of Senegal National Assembly Moustapha Niasse urged cooperation in fighting extremism and obtaining the Palestinians’ rights.

Zarif referred to Iran’s belief that the crises in Syria and Yemen have no military solutions. He underscored solving Islamic World problems through negotiations.

The Senegalese parliamentary official, for his part, noted his last year’s visit to Tehran during which he was informed of Iran’s advances in various fields.

Talking to the Senegalese president, Zarif pointed out the importance of Iran’s cooperation with Senegal in different areas, he also called for further banking relations between the two countries, the facilities necessary to issue visa on arrival (VOA) to Iranians, especially businessmen and entrepreneurs, approving the agreement to avoid double taxation in the National Assembly of Senegal and extension of the tax activities of Iranian companies operating in Senegal.

Senegalese president, in turn, emphasized the need for the implementation of agreements on the areas mentioned by Iranian foreign minister, calling for using Iran’s experience, especially in the oil and gas sectors.

Talking to his Senegalese counterpart, Zarif described the issue of Palestine and Zionist regime’s crimes as the major problem of the Islamic world, saying that solving Muslims’ problems is contingent upon the Islamic unity and dialogue in the Islamic world.

The Senegalese foreign minister, for his part, hailed longstanding relations between the two countries and described Zarif’s visit to Dakar as a contributor to bilateral ties adding that holding of joint economic commission session in coming months is an opportunity for pursuing cooperation in various fields including oil and gas sector.

Eventually, Zarif wrapped up his day-long visit in Senegal and traveled to Brazil on Tuesday.