Iran, Uganda Sign Three Protocols on Mutual Cooperation
The protocols were signed in the presence of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and Museveni in Sa'adabad Cultural Center by the respective ministers.
The joint declaration between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Uganda on the occasion of Ugandan president's visit was signed by Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mostafa Moin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda James Vapajabova.
Also, a mutual cooperation agreement on cultural, scientific and educational issues was signed by Moin and the Ugandan Minister of Education and Sports Kdihu Makuyabuya. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Iran Standard and Industrial Research Institute and the Ugandan Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry Bogo Mayo.
Official talks between President Khatami and his counterpart Museveni were held Wednesday in Sa'dabad Cultural Center where both presidents expressed firm resolution to improve bilateral ties.
Khatami praised the relentless struggle by the African nation to secure their liberation from the colonialists control and stressed that the Africans have to attempt to solve their problems and move toward progress and prosperity.
Khatami emphasized the need to deepen the all-out Tehran-Kampala ties in particular in the economic and trade ties. He said the two states could work together to more activate their presence in the international markets.
Museveni praised Iran for the great achievements it had gained since the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, particularly its progress in the domain of establishing a democratic system.
He invited President Khatami to pay a visit to Uganda in future.
The Iranian Parliament Speaker Mahdi Karrubi and the Ugandan president in a meeting on Thursday called for promotion of Tehran-Kampala relations in all fields.
Karrubi said the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran are based on promoting ties with revolutionary states, especially African countries, in cultural, political, parliamentary and economic fields.
Museveni expressed hope that further exchange of official visits between Tehran and Kampala would lead to the transfer of their experiences in all fields including their revolutionary record.
The Ugandan president also discussed issues of mutual interest with Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi in a meeting here Wednesday evening.
Among the other issues addressed at the Ugandan president's residence in Tehran were the recent African developments, including the Congo crisis and the Great Lakes issue.
Meanwhile, According to earlier report, Museveni paid tribute to the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini, here on Thursday.
The Ugandan head of state and his entourage visited the late Imam Khomeini's Mausoleum.
Museveni, heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon on a two-day official visit. He left Tehran for Tabriz in East Azarbaijan Province on Friday.
Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani visited Uganda in 1996. The visit led to the conclusion of eight agreements in economic, trade, telecommunications, fisheries and veterinary fields.
Iran sent her first charge d'affaires to Kampala in 1997 and the two countries upgraded their diplomatic ties to ambassadorial level a year later.