During a meeting held Saturday between Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian and the Chairman of South African parliament's Foreign Policy Commission James Masango, the two sides underscored that bilateral ties between Tehran and Pretoria should be expanded.
Masango praised Iran’s anti-apartheid stances and its support for the South African people’s battle against the former apartheid regime and said his people will never forget their “friends”.
Amir Abdollahian, for his part, expressed the hope that holding the 11th Iran-South Africa Joint Political Committee’s meeting would pave the way for the further expansion of economic, political and cultural ties between the two nations.
The top Iranian diplomat is on an official visit to South Africa. He is expected to meet South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane as well as a number of other political and economic officials.
Iran-South Africa Joint Political Committee’s meeting is scheduled to be held during Amir Abdollahian’s visit.
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.