TEHRAN – An Iranian deputy foreign minister has expressed the country’s readiness to strengthen economic and industrial cooperation and share its experiences in various fields with Mali.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mahdi Safari is visiting Bamako on a tour of Africa that took him earlier to Guinea.
In a meeting with acting prime minister of Mali Choguel Kokalla Maiga, Safari highlighted Tehran’s resolve to develop and promote relations with African countries, especially Mali.
“Fortunately, during a visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian to Mali, the Joint Economic Commission was held successfully, and it has well drawn up the road map for expansion of relations between us,” he said.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to share its experiences and achievements with Mali in various fields for the development of the country,” Safari added.
For his part, the Malian prime minister hailed the achievements of Iran in different areas.
He said the joint commission has fortunately set the duties and tasks of different ministries, while the path of cooperation with Iran has been determined.
In a separate meeting, the Iranian deputy foreign minister held talks with Mali’s Minister of Foreign

Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulaye Diop.
The two sides discussed the latest situation of commercial, economic and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
In the gathering, the top Malian diplomat appreciated Iran’s commitment to developing cooperation with the African countries, saying Mali is determined to expand economic relations with Iran.
On the first leg of his tour, the Iranian deputy foreign minister traveled to Conakry and held meetings with the officials of Guinea.
Guinea’s Chamber of Commerce Mamadou Baldé said his country does its best to strengthen relations with Iran.
In another meeting, Safari and Guinea’s Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyate highlighted the determination of their respective governments to expand cooperation.
Voicing Iran’s readiness for cooperation with Guinea in various areas such as energy, electricity grid supplies, construction of dams and roads, hospital equipment, industrial production, agriculture and industrial machinery, Safari called for the revival of the joint economic cooperation commission of the two countries.
For his part, Kouyate stressed the need to strengthen and develop ties with Iran given Tehran’s capabilities. He noted that Guinea seeks to use Iran’s know-how and advanced experiences.
The Iranian diplomat also held meetings with Guinea’s Minister of Agriculture Mamadou Nagnalen Barry and Minister of Vocational Training and Technical Education Alpha Bacar Barry.
President Ebrahim Raisi has frequently emphasized that Iran will remain as a reliable partner for all African nations, describing promotion of ties with Africa as a pillar of his administration’s foreign policy.