Ahmadinejads meet ahead of G15 summit

As leaders of the developing world gather in Tehran for the G-15 summit, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meets with his Senegalese and Sri Lankan counterparts.

President Ahmadinejad held talks with Sri Lanka’s Mahinda Rajapaksa on the eve of the G-15 summit in the Iranian capital.

The two sides agreed to boost mutual cooperation. Iran also pledged to make earnest efforts to ensure progress within the G-15 as Sri Lanka assumes the group’s presidency.

President Ahmadinejad also sat down with his Senegalese opposite number Abdoulaye Wade on Sunday to discuss the world’s pressing economic and political issues.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to launch bilateral projects, especially in the oil and petrochemical sector. The two men also highlighted the potential for joint automobile manufacturing ventures.

President Ahmadinejad hailed what he called Senegal’s “independent and innovative” policies. He also said African states should take measures to decrease their dependency on the Euro.

“African countries will benefit if they reduce their dependency on the Euro, since it was with their money that Western states managed to become super powers,” the Iranian president said.

The Senegalese president, for his part, welcomed Iran’s offer of hosting next year’s Islamic Scholars Conference and said the gathering could provide a great opportunity to discuss the world economy, peace, and poverty.

The 14th summit of the Group of 15 developing countries will officially kick off in Tehran later on Monday. The gathering brings together representatives and policymakers from member states.