TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki visited a number of African and South American countries. The tour started on March 24.

A political and economic delegation was accompanying the minister.
Mottaki first visited Mali and Mauritania and then headed to Brazil and Venezuela. He then returned to Africa and arrived in Gambia on March 28.
The current administration of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has put developing ties with African and Latin American countries atop its foreign policy agenda.
Iran determined to develop ties with Africa
In a meeting with his Gambian counterpart Omar Alieu Touray, Mottaki stated Iran is “seriously determined” to develop its relations with African countries.
“We believe that Africa and Iran have great potentials which their uses can largely meet the interests of each side,” he said.
Mottaki also suggested cooperation with Gambia in the fields of energy, health and agriculture.
The Gambian foreign minister also said, “Iran is a great country with valuable experiences in different areas.”
He praised Iran’s policy for prioritizing ties with African states, saying Africa has great potential which if combined with Iran’s scientific experiences in different fields will meet the interests of the each country.
Touray also said, “Africa attaches special importance to relations with Iran.”
The senior diplomat visited Iran in July last year.
In his meeting Gambian Vice President Aja Isatou Njie Saidy, Mottaki again proposed cooperation between the two countries in energy, health and agricultural sectors.
For his part, Aja Isatou Njie Saidy said, “The Gambian government and nation consider Iran as a close friend and important country, and we welcome development of comprehensive ties with Iran.”
Mottaki praises Mauritania for cutting ties with Israel
In his stay in Nouakchott, Mottaki praised Mauritania for cutting diplomatic ties with the Israeli regime, calling it a “brave” act.
Mauritania cut diplomatic ties with Israel and expelled the Israeli diplomats in the country in response to the regime’s savage attacks on the Gaza Strip.
“Our enemies in the Middle East have reached a dead end,” Mottaki said in a meeting with General Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, the president of State Supreme Council in Mauritania.
The Iranian foreign minister said a “new Middle East has been born” which is moving in the right path to “peace and justice”. He said this new Middle East does not take a “passive” approach in face of pressure, bullying acts and wars.
Tehran offers roadmap for energy cooperation with Brazil
Mottaki proposed drawing up a “roadmap” for energy cooperation between Iran Brazil especially in oil sector and producing electricity.
“We should draw up a roadmap (for cooperation) in energy field… in order to recognize the two countries’ potentials for joint work in petrochemical sector, building refineries and producing electricity,” Mottaki said in a meeting with Brazilian Energy Minister Edison Lobao in Brasilia.
Iran’s foreign minister also offered cooperation in agricultural and scientific fields.
“Today, a new chapter has been opened in relations between the two countries which originates from the political will of the two sides,” Mottaki explained.
Edison Lobao also said his country supports economic ties with Tehran.
“Iran is our friend which we deeply like to develop relations with,” he noted.
The energy minister said Iran and Brazil, as two important counties with valuable experiences and potential, “complement” each other and therefore “we can have good cooperation in all areas especially in energy sector.”
Edison Lobao also welcomed cooperation between Iranian and Brazilian companies in implementing joint ventures.
Iran ready to design 10-year plan in ties with Venezuela
It is necessary to draw up a 10-year roadmap plan for deepening Iran-Venezuela relations, Mottaki proposed in his meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas on March 27.
Cooperation between Iran and Venezuela has grown tremendously in the past three years.
“In the past ten years we have managed bilateral relations in a way that guarantees the interests of the two sides,” Mottaki explained, adding there is no limitation in expanding relations between the two sides.
Chavez also said Iran and Venezuela can turn the current global crisis into an opportunity by deepening ties.
The economic teams from Iran and Venezuela reviewed cooperation in agriculture, energy, and finance. They also reviewed plans to take final steps for establishing a joint bank.
The bank was officially launched on Friday, April 3, in Tehran at the presence of Chavez and Ahmadinejad.
Mottaki and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro also called for a speedy implementation of new agreements signed between the two countries, saying relations serve as an example for other Latin American countries.
Mottaki said Iran-Venezuela ties have entered a new stage.
Nicolas Maduro also said, “We have had and will continue to have a deep feeling of brotherhood and friendship with Iran.”
Maduro added Tehran-Caracas ties, as one of the best and most extensive, is an example for all Latin American countries. He said Venezuela is determined to diversify its relation with Tehran and expand them