Iran’s FM Due in South Africa for Talks

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Zarif will visit Pretoria at the invitation of his South African counterpart.

The Iranian top diplomat will be heading a political and economic delegation in the trip, Qassemi said.

He added that Zarif is scheduled to hold talks with South Africa’s president, foreign minister and minister of finance during the visit.

Also, he said, the 13^th meeting of the two countries’ Joint Commission will be held in which the process of implementing the previous agreements signed between Iran and South Africa will be discussed.  

Expansion of relations with African nations in all political, economic and cultural fields is top on the agenda of Iran's foreign policy.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected back in May, has repeatedly stressed his government's interest in boosting relations with the African states.

In a meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa Baleka Mbete in Tehran in September, President Rouhani described Tehran-Pretoria relations as “cordial and growing”.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to strengthen relations with African countries, especially South Africa, in all areas,” the Iranian president added.

Mbete, for her part, said Pretoria is firmly resolved to boost relations with Tehran in all spheres.