President Raeisi counts expansion of relations with African countries among top priorities

Raeisi made the remarks in a meeting with Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey on Monday, saying that under the new Iranian administration, Iran will pursue development of economic, trade, and political relations with African countries with renewed strength.

He said Western powers have mainly sought to colonize and exploit African countries and they are currently pursuing their own wishes and interests in the continent in various forms.

He hailed "valuable" efforts by African people to "safeguard their independence" and added, "Their success depends on the emphasis on national and cultural identity and resistance against excessive demands."

The Iranian president stated, "African countries have the necessary capacities for development and prosperity, and the Islamic Republic of Iran supports independence, progress and welfare of African people."

The foreign minister of Togo, for his part, said his country is keen to establish joint broad and comprehensive relations with Iran to activate bilateral capabilities towards serving common interests.

Dussey condemned the West's cruel sanctions against independent states and nations.

In another meeting with Algerian's new ambassador to Tehran Ali Arouj, the Iranian president said expansion of relations with the North African country is of great significance to the Islamic Republic.

Pointing to Algerian people's brilliant resistance against French colonialism, Raeisi said, "Colonial powers have never given up their colonial spirit and are always pursuing their colonial goals with a new approach."

"However, Algerian people have always maintained their spirit of resistance," he added.

He expressed hope that the two countries would make their utmost efforts to improve bilateral political, economic, trade and cultural relations by relying on cordial bonds and previous agreements between the two nations.

For his part, the new Algerian ambassador, who submitted his credentials to the Iranian president, said the current level of economic relations between the two countries is not on a par with the excellent political ties and vowed to do his best to improve the level of his country's economic and trade cooperation with Iran as an important economic partner.

He emphasized that Algeria would strongly continue its principled policies, particularly on support for the Palestinian cause, for which it has paid heavy costs.

Iran’s President Raeisi also received Brunei’s new ambassador to Iran, Awang Haji Ismail bin Haji Abdul Manap, saying that the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy seeks to boost Tehran's interactions with all countries, especially neighboring and Muslim ones.

He added that the two countries' ties are rooted in heartfelt relationships between the two Muslim nations and expressed hope that both sides would further develop cordial cooperation in regional and international arena.

"It is essential to expand political, economic and trade relations between the two countries on the basis of these relations," Raeisi stated.

The new ambassador of Brunei conveyed the greetings of his country's Sultan to the Iranian president and vowed to do his best to deepen cooperation between the two brotherly and friendly nations.