TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani called on Tehran and Pretoria to move towards further development of economic relations between the two countries with stronger and faster strides.
�There are abundant grounds for increasing the economic ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and South Africa and the economic relations between the two countries should develop stronger and the steps should be taken faster (in this path),� Larijani said upon arrival at Cape Town airport on Wednesday.

He referred to the relations and consultations between Tehran and Pretoria in different economic and political fields, and said, �South Africa�s approach to Iran�s nuclear issues have always been friendly.�

Larijani was welcomed by the South African parliament�s vice-speaker who underlined his country�s support for Iran�s nuclear program, and said, �Iran is a great country which has been able to make astonishing progress through self-reliance in different fields, including advanced sciences, medicine and technical-engineering services.�

In relevant remarks on Tuesday, Larijani underlined Tehran's eagerness to expand economic ties with the African nations, specially South Africa and Congo.

�The Islamic Republic of Iran has always paid special attention to political and economic relations with the African states,� Larijani told reporters before leaving Tehran for South Africa and Congo.

He expressed the hope that his trip would further pave the ground for parliamentary relations between Iran and the two Africa states, and said he planned to discuss ways of bolstering economic cooperation in his meetings with South African and Congolese officials.

�The two countries of South Africa and Congo are among Iran�s friends and have nearly close parliamentary ties and good developmental cooperation with the Islamic Revolution,� Larijani said.

Iran has striven hard to maximize relations with the African continent.

Iran is also an observing member of the AU and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings.

The country is considered as one of the AU's strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states and Turkey, while Tehran is also believed to be prioritizing promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states.

By Fars News Agency

 

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