FMs of Iran, Central African Republic Meet in Tehran

FMs of Iran, Central African Republic Meet in Tehran -Zach J

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Regional Integration and Francophone Affairs of the Central African Republic Antoine Gambi in a meeting in Tehran explored avenues for the further expansion of the two countries' relations.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting here in Tehran on Sunday, Gambi said that he and Salehi conferred on Iran's assistance to the Central African Republic in transportation and health affairs. He expressed the hope that trade and economic relations between Iran and his country would further increase. Elsewhere, Gambi pointed to smuggling and drug-trafficking in the Northern regions of Mali, and said, "The developments there are a source of global concern and the situation in that region is worrying." Gambi pointed to the international community and the African Union's efforts to resolve the problems in Mali, and stated, "Mali is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and we should take action to protect the country's territorial integrity." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration has striven hard to maximize relations with the African continent. Iran is also an observing member of the AU and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings. The country is considered as one of the AU's strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states and Turkey, while Tehran is also believed to be prioritizing promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states.