AU - Iran Cooperation

Press Release—A delegation from the African Union Commission (AUC) led by Ambassador John Shinkaiye, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chairperson of AU Commission visited Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 25 to 26 February 2008 and had discussions with the Iranian delegation led by Ambassador Javid Ghorbaloghli, Director for Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The main objective of the meeting was to explore the prospects and possibilities of furthering Africa-Iran cooperation in line with the decisions and objectives set by the executive policy organs of the African Union. It was also to look at the possible contents of a partnership with Iran, the principles that would guide it, as well as specific sectors of interest for cooperation. The meeting was also to promote and deepen cooperation and establish a mechanism for joint action including collaborative projects in specific areas. These areas could include development aid, mines and industry, investment, technical engineering and training facilities, oil, petrol-chemicals, energy, water, education, health and pharmaceuticals.

During the visit, the AU delegation was received by Mr. Manoochehr Mottaki, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The delegation also met with Messrs. Bagheri and Talaei, Deputy Ministers for African and Arab countries and Economic Affairs, respectively. The delegation was also treated to an official dinner hosted by the Deputy Minister for African and Arab Affairs.

While declaring the meeting open, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran for African and Arab countries welcomed the AU delegation to Iran. He underlined the strong commitment of Iran towards developing an effective partnership with the African continent that would expand the scope of economic, social and political interaction, foster and enhance cooperation in international for a, consolidate and build upon existing linkages that are characterized by respect for justice and human dignity. “The process would set the pace for the development of a new relationship that would harness the potentials and capacities of both partners for mutual benefit”, he said.

Ambassador John K. Shinkaiye, on his part, thanked the Iranian hosts for their hospitality. He noted that the development of strategic partnership is an important mechanism of the African continent for accelerating the process of political and economic development. He indicated that the AU Executive Council had decided, by virtue of decision EX/CL/Dec.397 (XII), that there was a need to “undertake a global review of all existing partnerships...... and identify criteria for such partnerships to ensure coherence between and within these partnerships”. He also pointed out that the PRC was requested to submit recommendations and the outcome of this review before initiating any new strategic partnerships. He therefore underlined that the purpose of the meeting was exploratory in order to report back to the policy organs of the African Union for a final decision.

In the ensuing work, the two sides agreed on the principles that should guide a partnership between Africa and Iran, and possible areas of cooperation. The meeting also afforded the Commission the opportunity to provide information of the formats of the African Union Summits with single-country partners, which Iran appreciated. It also afforded Iran the opportunity to provide information of its relations with Africa and its capacities in education, medicine, pharmaceuticals, small scale industries, engineering, infrastructure, etc. The two sides agreed that the outcome of the meeting would provide a good basis to take the process further.

While in Teheran, the AUC delegation met with the Group of African Ambassadors and Heads of Missions for an exchange of views and briefing. The African Ambassadors also hosted the delegation to a dinner during which further exchanges took place.

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