Iran hails cooperation with African states

Iran has hailed the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa as an opportunity for the promotion of regional integrity and global trade.

“The formation of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESO) would encourage regional cooperation and deepen economic trade between Africa and the world,” Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a meeting with COMESO Secretary General Sindiso Ndema Ngwenya.

Mottaki said the economic order of the world needs to undergo a change, adding that the “US government’s financial mismanagement” has negatively affected the global economic order.

Iran has devised a “comprehensive plan” on developing cooperation with African countries in various domains including agriculture and the auto industry.

The COMESO secretary general also welcomed expanding ties with Iran and praised Tehran’s capabilities in the food industry and agriculture, which he said could come to help African countries.

Formed in 1994, COMESO is a major market place for both internal and foreign trading and has 19 member states.