In separate meetings in Tehran on Saturday, Rouhani received the credentials of new ambassadors of the two African countries.
In the gathering with Sierra Leonean envoy and his delegation, the Iranian president emphasized the need for plans to boost cooperation between Tehran and Freetown in the health and medical sector as well as agriculture and joint cultivation of products, and for close interaction in international organizations for the settlement of conflicts.
Hailing Sierra Leone as Africa’s western gateway, Rouhani said Iranian private and state-run companies are ready to promote cooperation with the African nation and provide it with services in diverse fields.
In the other meeting, with Mali’s new ambassador, the Iranian president expressed Tehran’s preparedness for scientific, academic and agricultural cooperation with Bamako.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue technical cooperation with Mali, particularly in the health sector, and Iranian agricultural engineers are also ready for a more active presence in Mali,” he added.
Rouhani also said that Iran and Mali have close stances on the bilateral and regional issues, calling for the employment of the two nations’ economic capacities to enhance development.
The Malian envoy said in turn that he would pursue the enhancement of economic and political ties with Iran in his mission.
Expansion of relations with African nations in all political, economic and cultural fields is top on the agenda of Iran’s foreign policy.
Rouhani, who won a second term back in May 2017, has repeatedly stressed his government’s interest in boosting relations with the African states.
Source » tasnimnews