Vice President Urges Stronger Iran-Africa Ties, Condemns Iranophobia and Afroscepticism
In a significant move to enhance cooperation between Iran and African nations, First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref has called on African countries to strengthen their bilateral ties with the Islamic Republic. This appeal comes in the context of addressing Western narratives that aim to sow discord and foster anti-Iran and anti-Africa sentiments.
During a meeting at the Third Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference held in Tehran, Aref stated, “Iranophobia and Afroscepticism, fueled by Western countries, are two important challenges for the development of relations between Iran and Africa.” He emphasized that the portrayal of an unrealistic image of Iran is a deliberate strategy that can be countered through meaningful interactions and exchanges, particularly with African nations rich in history and civilization.
The Vice President outlined several key points for mutual cooperation:
- Identification of Capacities: Aref called for recognizing the potential of both Iran and Africa to enhance collaborative efforts.
- Focus on All Sectors: He highlighted that developing relations in various sectors is a priority on Iran’s foreign policy agenda.
- Implementation of Agreements: Referring to previous Iran-Africa cooperation summits, Aref stressed the importance of executing existing agreements through active dialogue among the signatories.
- Self-Reliance: He noted that Iran has achieved self-reliance in several sectors, including agriculture, industry, and advanced technologies, despite facing “cruel and illegal sanctions.”
- Balanced Foreign Policy: Aref advocated for prioritizing export-import development by assessing the capabilities of both parties.
- Elimination of Legal Obstacles: He mentioned the need to address and remove legal barriers to cooperation, proposing a Joint Commission as a potential solution.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, ministers, and representatives from the private sectors of African countries, all of whom gathered to discuss ways to enhance cooperation with Iran. Aref’s remarks highlight the importance of building stronger ties and overcoming challenges posed by external forces.
