Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi on January 14 left on a three-day visit to the three African countries of the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Benin. The aim of this tour is stated as exploring avenues of expanding cooperation between Iran and these countries.

Nigeria, Benin and the Ivory Coast are the African countries that enjoy cordial relations with Iran. But the relations between Iran and Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with more than half of its 120-million strong population being Muslims, are of special importance. The ties between the two nations became even stronger after the election of President Obasanjo in 1999 and end of a fifteen-year military government in that country.

For example, the two countries established their first joint Working Committee during a visit by the Nigerian minister for foreign affairs to Tehran in June, 2001. Even before that, the two countries had signed some agreements in the gas and oil sectors and developing trade and economic cooperation during Nigerian president's visit to Tehran in January, 2000. Therefore, one of the goals of Kharrazi's visit to Nigeria is to follow up on the previous agreements.

The record of relationship between Iran and the Ivory Coast also shows that the two countries have considerably developed their economic cooperation, especially in the fields of mines, oil and gas.

The Ivory Coast is regarded as an active country on the international arena, as it is home to important political and economic centers such as West African Economic Society and the African Development Bank. As a result, having various potentials and a favorable economic situation, the Ivory Coast has become the economic hub of the region.

As far as Benin is concerned, considering the ample ground for cooperation between Iran and this country, especially given the visit by Beninese foreign minister to Iran last August, there seems to be no obstacle to the expansion of relations between the two countries, and some documents on economic, political and cultural cooperation are expected to be signed during Iranian foreign minister's visit to Benin.

Altogether, considering that the Islamic Republic places special emphasis on the expansion of its relations with African states, the current visit of Iranian foreign minister to West Africa is a positive step towards consolidation of relations and implementation of agreements with these three countries, which due to their large Muslim population have more incentives for cooperation with Tehran.