Iran's FM seeks Africa ties to boost sanctions-hit economy
The Islamic Republic renewed the official line that it won't keep its battered economy waiting on the fate of the nuclear deal.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced that his country was ready to open a high-tech fair in the Malian capital, Bamako, where Iran's latest knowledge-based advancements will be put on display.
Amir-Abdollahian was sitting next to his Malian counterpart, Abdoulaye Diop, as private sector economic actors from both sides formed their first-ever joint cooperation committee.
The Iranian minister's African visit will also take him to Tanzania later in the week. "Africa and Mali are of a significant status in the Iranian government's foreign policy," Amir-Abdollahian declared upon arrival where he spoke of his "confidence about a new chapter in fresh Tehran-Bamako ties."
Hours before Amir-Abdollahian's departure, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani was addressing reporters in Tehran for a briefing on the fate of the Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Tehran has already replied and enclosed "considerations" to a European Union-drafted proposal. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has described the Iranian response as "reasonable." The same package is awaiting an answer from Washington, where it is under review.
