Iranian Diplomat Meets African Leaders in Ethiopian Capital

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 24th annual African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
In his meeting with Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, Amir Abdollahian highlighted Iran’s resolve to expand relations with Ghana.
Mahama, for his part, referred to Iran’s active presence in Ghana’s agricultural and medical sectors and said there are many potentials for boosting cooperation between Tehran and Accra.
The Iranian diplomat also held talks with Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The two sides discussed the factors leading to the drop of global oil prices and stressed the need for reversing the trend.
In his talks with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Amir Abdollahian praised Harare’s independent stance against the Western countries’ excessive demands.
Mugabe, for his part, noted that Iran and Zimbabwe share views on regional and international issues and described the two countries’ ties as exemplary.
Later on Sunday, the Iranian deputy foreign minister met with Hery Rajaonarimampianina, the president of Madagascar, and expressed the hope that the level of cooperation and trade ties between Iran and Madagascar will rise in accordance with the two countries’ potentials.
Rajaonarimampianina in this meeting thanked Iran for sending its new ambassador to Antananarivo and described it as an indication of the developing relations between the two countries.
Expansion of relations with African countries in all political, economic and cultural fields is top on the agenda of the Iranian foreign policy.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has repeatedly said that his government welcomes boosting relations with the African nations.