TEHRAN – Iran aims to deepen political, economic and diplomatic ties with Niger and Mali, a special envoy said Thursday as he conveyed a message of friendship and an invitation from Tehran’s foreign minister in separate talks with the West African countries’ top diplomats in Burkina Faso.
In a meeting with Niger’s Foreign Minister Bakary Yao Sangare, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Africa Director Akbar Khosravi Nejad expressed his gratitude for Niger’s “courageous” vote against an anti-Iranian resolution proposed by several European countries at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Khosravi Nejad explained that the vote reflected Niger’s principled and anti-colonial policies. He emphasized opportunities for political cooperation and dialogue at the regional and international levels, and stressed Iran’s commitment to expanding comprehensive bilateral relations with West African countries.
In a separate meeting with Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, Foreign Minister Khosravi Nejad conveyed the invitation from the Iranian Foreign Minister and emphasized Iran’s readiness to expand friendly relations and economic exchanges with Mali. He stressed that the Iranian government is keen to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, development and cultural relations.
Both meetings were held in Ouagadougou, where the foreign ministers of Niger and Mali were attending an international conference. This environment provided Iran with a platform to strengthen diplomatic engagement with key partners in West Africa and strengthen mutual support in international forums.