Iran, Mali Keen on Enhancing Relations

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the Islamic Republic is keen on promoting trade ties with Mali.

Larijani made the statement in a joint press conference after meeting Issaka Sidibe, speaker of the National Assembly of Mali, in Tehran on Wednesday, ISNA reported.

“In our negotiations today, we had good discussions about expansion of economic relations with Mali. We are keen to elevate the level of trade ties,” he said.

Larijani hoped that Sidibe’s trip would serve as a turning point in bilateral relations. Sidibe described the parliamentary ties between the two sides as “good” but highlighted the need to focus on cooperation in the field of trade, which remains largely untapped.

“There is room for improved cooperation in all domains. The current level of bilateral cooperation, especially in the area of trade, is not satisfactory. Mali considers Iran a friend and we hope that cooperation between the two countries will continue,” he said. The senior Malian lawmaker offered condolences on the passing of the former Iranian president, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, an influential figure who played a major role in the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.