Iran’s Parliament Speaker in Congo after S. Africa Tour

Larijani started his trip to Africa on March 4 by an official visit to South Africa, where he met that country’s high-ranking officials.

In a meeting with Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly Max Sisulu in Pretoria on March 5, Larijani said Tehran and Pretoria should strive for more joint investments in areas like petrochemical, petroleum and mining industries.

He had also described Iran and South Africa’s ties as historical and said the two countries’ relations will continue to develop.

Larijani also had a meeting with South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma during his stay in the southernmost country in the black continent.

Now he is planned to hold a number of other meetings with the Congolese officials in his new destination.

Africa is the continent that Iran has long strived to maximize relations with.

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.

To that end, Tehran has engaged in a flurry of diplomatic exchanges with the African states and clinched several cooperation agreements.

Tehran has put emphasis on 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 observer member of the African Union (AU), where it has shown an active presence in the AU summit meetings.