Speaking in a meeting with the new Ambassador of Benin to Tehran on Tuesday, Rouhani blasted the interference of world powers in Africa and the Middle East, and said their meddlesome policies have led to further violence and terrorism in these regions.
“Besides their bilateral relations, Iran, Benin and other African countries can exchange views and cooperate to resolve regional and international issues,” he noted.
President Rouhani said the problems in the Mideast and Africa would not be resolved except through diplomacy and negotiations.
Cooperation with the African countries is a must in fight against extremism and terrorism, he went on to say.
Rouhani underlined that the logic of terrorism is to use arms and violence. He also noted that Iran believes people must choose their own political inclinations and this idea must be promoted among the younger generation.
Development of relations with African countries is one of the principles of the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy, President Rouhani said, adding that Tehran welcomes the expansion of its cooperation with Benin.
Referring to the implementation of some projects in Benin by the Iranian engineers and experts, the Iranian president said “certainly such cooperation can promote friendship between the two Iranian and Beninese nations and familiarise the youths in Benin and Africa with the capabilities of the Iranian experts.”
For his part, the new Ambassador of Benin to Tehran, Naim Akibo, on behalf of the President of Benin praised Rouhani’s efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.
“Benin is willing to take advantage of the Iranian experts’ capabilities and technical knowledge,” he added.
Akibo also offered his condolences over the recent terrorist attacks in Tehran in which a number of Iranians were killed by the ISIS terrorists.
