Resist colonialism to achieve progress

Iran’s Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani has described economic backwardness as a legacy of colonialism, urging resistance against colonial powers to achieve progress.

The Iranian official made the remark in a meeting with Comoros Parliament Speaker Burhan Hamid on Wednesday, ISNA reported.

Larijani said backwardness, poverty and economic and social woes were the legacy of colonialism in African countries and emphasized that “the only way to achieve independence and economic progress is to resist against colonial powers.”

He also welcomed relations with African countries and said the Islamic Republic was keen on further expanding ties with all African countries, including Comoros.

The Comoros official, in turn, called colonialism the main threat to his country’s independence.

Hamid highlighted significance of the nation’s relations with the Islamic Republic and said that his country embraces Iran’s investment in its economic sectors.

He further pointed out that both countries could expand ties in various areas, including fisheries, energy, road construction and tourism.

The Comoros parliament speaker arrived in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Wednesday to hold talks with Iranian officials and to discuss ways to expand bilateral relations.

The expansion of ties with African countries in political, economic and cultural fields is among the top priorities of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s foreign policy.