Iran: Iran seeks expansion of Iran-Congo cooperation

Oct 26, IRNA – IRI Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here Monday asked for expansion of span of cooperation between Iran and Congo through activation of joint economic commissions.

According to a Monday night report by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information and Media Head Office, Mottaki elaborated on Tehran’s approach towards Africa in a meeting with the visiting Parliament Speaker of Congo Justin Koumba.

He added, “We can have good cooperation with Congo in commerce, making investments, and implementation of various types of projects.”

Mottaki added, “Of course in the field of law making, in order to achieve our objectives, the Congolese Parliament can pave the path and facilitate for fruitful bilateral cooperation.”
He announced Iran’s readiness for broader cooperation with Congo in political, economic, commercial and consular fields, expressing hope that the Congolese parliament speaker’s visit would pave the path for further boosting the bilateral relations.

Parliament Speaker Koumba, too, referring to the good level of bilateral cooperation, emphasized that his companying delegation and him are in Iran mainly for expansion of parliamentary cooperation.

He added, “All the same, we have noticed here that the ground is well paved for expansion of relations in various other fields, as well, such as cooperation in agricultural field.”

Earlier on Sunday the day Koumba had separate meetings with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and with his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in the meeting that a joint front of the independent states has been formed, creating a historic opportunity to get rid of the reign of hegemonic powers.
The world is in need of a new order based on justice and all must take an active part in this regard, Ahmadinejad stated.

Independent states including Iran and Congo must closely cooperate with each other, Ahmadinejad noted, adding the Islamic Republic is ready to share its experiences with other nations.

Moreover, the president expressed Iran’s full support for parliamentary cooperation between the two countries and described it as “significant”.

The Congolese parliament speaker also emphasized Iran’s effective role in promoting a new world order.

Majlis Foreign Policy and National Security Committee Chairman Ala’eddin Boroujerdi also held a meeting with the Congolese parliament speaker and criticized the “colonial” view of certain countries toward Africa.

Despite the sanctions and pressures on the country over the past 30 years, Iran has achieved great successes in different fields of modern science which can serve as a basis for further bilateral cooperation, Boroujerdi told Koumba.

Koumba also said that his visit to Iran would open a new chapter in cooperation between the two countries.

He said that Congo seeks to use Iran’s experiences in order to cut the dominance of foreigners on the country.

In addition, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani in his meting with his Congolese counterpart to discussed efforts to strengthen ties between Iran and Congo.