Iran determined to expand ties with Africa

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said his country attaches great importance to the expansion of ties with all African nations, the local satellite Press TV reported on Monday. Addressing a group of Iranian ambassadors to African countries on Sunday, Amir-Abdollahian said to promote ties with African countries is a major priority for Iran, adding that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has agreed to provide African countries with essential resources to facilitate their development and progress, said Press TV. The deputy foreign minister also called on the ambassadors to speed up implementation of the ongoing Iranian cultural, economic and commercial projects based in Africa, according to Press TV. Earlier this year, Ahmadinejad suggested an Iran-Africa joint fund should be set up and said the fund could contribute to the expansion of ties with African countries in various fields.