South Africa backs Iran's Nuclear Program

Islamic Republic News Agency:

South African Vice-President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on Wednesday back Iran's peaceful application of nuclear technology and called the current cooperation between Iran and South Africa with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as 'remarkable'. READ MORE

Making the remarks in a meeting with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmad Azizi, she said South Africa is willing to broaden all out cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister, for his part, conveyed the congratulatory message of Iran's First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref on reappointment of the South African vice president to her post and hoped to witness further expansion of ties between the two sides.

South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and Iran's Ambassador to Pretoria Mohammad ali Ghaneh-zadeh were also present in the meeting.

The Iranian envoy at the meeting extended an invitation to the inviting South African president and his deputy to pay an official visit to Iran.

Azizi leading a delegation arrived in Pretoria to attend a meeting of Iran-South Africa political committee. He is to confer with the country's high ranking officials on issues of mutual interests.

The two sides' deputy foreign minsters are to discuss achievements made during the second round of talks between the two sides officials.

South Africa is the second major importer of Iran's crude oil.

The two sides have witnessed very remarkable and positive developments in mutual ties since the collapse of Apartheid in that country.