Iranian FM meets with Togolese president

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe said on Saturday that he was grateful of Iranian government and nation for hosting him in his previous visit to Iran.
 The Islamic Republic of Iran was the only country which rendered scientific and cultural services to Togo during hardship, he said in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (photo).
He also praised Iran’s sincere stand in dealing with Africa and appreciated President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for broadening cooperation with the African nations.
The Islamic Republic of Iran and Togo are in two different geographic location but are now struggling for justice, respects and values, said the Togolese president.
'Unfortunately, the current international system does not let the African states to touch their capabilities and potentials,' he said.
The Togolese president said that lack of respect for humanitarian values in global developments is very regrettable.
“We are sensitive towards on going developments in the Middle East and regard them as unjust,” he said.
President Gnassingbe said, “We are to make use of our potentialities on expansion of ties and relations with Iran.“
We welcome the active presence of Iranian companies in developing projects in Togo, he said.
Thanking the invitation extended by the Iranian president to him, he said he will visit Iran at the earliest opportunity.
Mottaki said that cooperation between Iran and Africa has entered a new phase and Iran is determined to further deepen relations with the African states.
The foreign minister conveyed a message from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Togolese president.
In the message, President Ahmadinejad voiced Iran’s readiness for expansion of all-out relations with Togo and invited his Togolese counterpart to pay an official visit to Iran.
Referring to the visit made by Togolese president to Iran in the year 2005, Mottaki described the visit as important which prepared the ground for upgrading the friendly ties.
Referring to good political and cultural relations between Iran and Africa, he said the two sides are determined to increase current level of economic cooperation in line with the level of political ties.
Mottaki said that the visit to Togo of Iranian delegation comprising the political, economic, cultural and members of parliament indicated Iran’s firm determination for expansion of all-out relations with Togo.
Trade between Iran and the African states stood at several billion which indicates the high potentials of Iranian firms and companies in the African countries, he said.
Iranian companies are currently engaged in various fields as production of cars, tractors, oil exploration, and construction of power plants in the African countries, Mottaki said.