President Rouhani received President Jacob Zuma and his African entourage of businessmen and traders on Sunday and said that President Zuma’s visit could accelerate improvements in bilateral ties in all fields of interest notably trade, culture and science; “Republic of South Africa enjoys a sublime place in Iranian minds and hearts for the nation’s role as providing motivations for other nations in overthrow of Apartheid and imperialist-supported petty despotism,” Mr. Rouhani lavished praise on the African nation, pointing to long-standing relations between Iran and African National Congress, a party who spearheaded battle against Apartheid; “the Islamic Republic of Iran supported liberationist movements across the continent especially challenging Apartheid,” he added.
Rouhani also extended his gratitude to South Africa’s positions in supporting Iran’s rights to peaceful nuclear technologies during international sessions as a country member of NAM Conference; “improvement of relations between Iran as a country very influential in the Middle East and RSA as equally important in Africa would bring positive outcomes even in global scale,” he told the meeting
