Larijani Calls for Expansion of Iran-South Africa Joint Investments
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani called for a boost in joint investments between Iran and South Africa.
Speaking Wednesday in a meeting with Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly Max Sisulu in Pretoria, Larijani said Tehran and Pretoria should strive for more joint investments in areas like petrochemical, petroleum and mining industries.
He described Iran and South Africa’s ties as historical and said the two countries’ relations will continue to develop.
Larijani further pointed to Iran’s negotiations with the Group 5+1 (Russia, the US, Britain, China, France and Germany) and described the talks as progressing.
He stressed that Iran’s nuclear issue can be resolved through dialogue.
Representatives from Iran and the six world powers on Wednesday started a fresh round of expert-level talks over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.
The negotiations kicked off in Vienna --one of the four headquarters of the United Nations-- today, and are expected to extend over three days, until March 7.
The ongoing expert-level talks between Tehran and the G5+1 (also known as P5+1 or E3+3) are being held on the sidelines of a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors.
It comes after Iran and the world powers wrapped up their latest nuclear talks in the Austrian capital on February 20. The two sides are gearing up for a meeting of political directors on March 17.
Speaker of South Africa’s national assembly, for his part, hailed the good cooperation between the parliaments of Iran and South Africa.
Sisulu described Iran’s economy as dynamic despite the sanctions (imposed on the country by the West) and said South Africa is willing to benefit from the Islamic Republic’s experiences in economic and industrial fields.
He also stressed Pretoria’s support for Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.