TEHRAN -- President Ebrahim Raisi said Monday one of Iran’s top foreign policy priorities is to develop all-out relations with African countries.
Raisi made the remarks in a meeting with Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey here, saying under the new Iranian administration, Iran will pursue development of economic, trade, and political relations with African countries with renewed strength.
He said Western powers have mainly sought to colonize and exploit African countries, addiing they are currently pursuing their own goals and interests in the continent in various forms.
The president hailed the “valuable” efforts by African people to “safeguard their independence”, saying their success depends on the emphasis on national and cultural identity and resistance against excessive demands.
“African countries have the necessary capacities for development and prosperity, and the Islamic Republic of Iran supports independence, progress and welfare of African people,” he said.
The foreign minister of Togo, for his part, said his country is keen to establish joint broad and comprehensive relations with Iran to activate bilateral capabilities towards serving their common interests.
Dussey also condemned the West’s cruel sanctions against independent states and nations.
In another meeting with Algerian’s new ambassador to Tehran Ali Arouj, the Iranian president said expansion of relations with the North African country is of great significance to the Islamic Republic.
Pointing to the Algerian people’s brilliant resistance against French colonialism, Raisi said, “Colonial powers have never given up their colonial spirit and are always pursuing their colonial goals with a new approach.”
“However, the Algerian people have always maintained their spirit of resistance,” he added.
The president expressed hope that the two countries would make their utmost efforts to improve bilateral political, economic, trade and cultural relations by relying on cordial bonds and previous agreements between the two nations.
For his part, the new Algerian ambassador, who submitted his credentials to the Iranian president, said the current level of economic relations between the two countries is not on a par with their excellent political ties and vowed to do his utmost to improve the level of his country’s economic and trade cooperation with Iran as an important economic partner.
Algeria, he said, will strongly continue its principled policies, particularly on support for the Palestinian cause, for which it has paid heavy costs.
President Raisi also received Brunei’s new ambassador, Awang Haji Ismail bin Haji Abdul Manap, saying Iran’s foreign policy is based on boosting Tehran’s interactions with all countries, especially neighboring and Muslim states.
The president expressed hope that the two countries would further develop cordial cooperation in the regional and international arena.
“It is essential to expand political, economic and trade relations between the two countries on the basis of these relations,” Raisi stated.
The new ambassador of Brunei conveyed the greetings of his country’s Sultan to the Iranian president and vowed to do his best to deepen cooperation between the two brotherly and friendly nations.