Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Africa is still the victim of global arrogance and colonial practices despite African states managed to gain independence decades ago.
Speaking to reports on the sidelines of the 18th African Union (AU) Summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Sunday, Salehi noted that colonial powers impose their domination on the African continent through various means to reach their objectives.
Turning to the developments taking place in North Africa and the ongoing wave of Islamic Awakening in the region, the Iranian Foreign Minister said the popular uprisings sweeping across North Africa should encourage other African nations to restore their human dignity and politico-economic independence.
Iran had diplomatic relations with a small number of African countries prior to the 1979 victory of the Islamic Revolution. Tehran has been expanding its ties with African states since the fall of deposed dictator, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and enjoys all-out relations with a lot of countries in Africa, Salehi pointed out.
He stated that expansion of relations with African countries is among the top priorities of Iran's foreign policy, expressing his country's willingness to put its scientific and technological experience at the disposal of African nations.
The 18th African Union Summit opened in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on January 29. The summit, with a theme of "boosting trade between African countries," is being attended by the leaders of the 54 African nations. Salehi represents Iran in the meeting as an observer.
The participating leaders will also look at the security situation in Algeria, Niger, Mali and Mauretania, where terrorism is on the rise.
Source : www.presstv.com
