Speaker Stresses Iran, Sudan’s Close Stance on Regional Issues

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani lauded the friendly relations between Iran and Sudan, and stressed that the two countries hold almost identical views about regional issues.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his meeting with Sudanese First Vice-President Osman Taha, Larijani said that he and Taha exchanged views on regional issues and discussed ways of expanding economic ties.

“The two countries’ views on regional issues is very close,” Larijani stated.

As regards the bilateral ties, Larijani pointed to Tehran-Khartoum economic, political and cultural relations, and noted, “Sudan is our friend and brother and we have cordial relations with each other.”

Larijani is in Sudan for the 8th General Assembly Meeting of the Islamic Inter-Parliamentary Union (IIPU).

Iranian and Sudanese leaders have on many occasions laid increasing emphasis on the expansion of ties and cooperation between the two nations.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit here in Tehran (August 26-31) that the relations between the two countries are “excellent”, but meantime urged a bolstering of mutual cooperation.

Also, during a visit to Sudan late in September 2011, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lauded the close ties between Tehran and Khartoum, and underlined that the two countries are resolved to boost mutual cooperation with no limit or boundary.

Tehran has prioritized promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states and the country is now considered as one of the African Union’s strategic partners.

Tehran’s efforts to boost ties and cooperation with Africa have led to its acceptance as an observing member of the African Union (AU), where it has shown an active presence in the AU summit meetings.