03 September, 2017
Speaker of South African National Assembly Baleka Mbete made the statement in a press conference with her Iranian counterpart, Ali Larijani, after meeting Larijani and President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on Saturday, IRNA reported.
For her part, Mbete said her country will make efforts to bring Iran to the club of BRICS which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Iran, the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region, has announced its willingness to join the group and enjoys friendly relations with all of its members.
"We know about Iran's population, its strategic location and its progress in various fields, including education".
In the presser, Larijani said the two sides discussed grounds for investment cooperation in various sectors.
"The visit has created great opportunities for development of bilateral cooperation as an acceptable figure was stipulated for volume of trade turnover between the two countries", said Larijani.
Rouhani also said, "Iran and South Africa can make valuable efforts in line with serving worldwide peace and stability and the interests of the developing countries through cooperation at global stage".
Rouhani said that the two countries' parliaments play important role in enhancing relations.
President Rouhani also went on to mention close views of Iran and South Africa in many global and regional issues, adding: "Iran and South Africa can cooperate more with each other in worldwide communities and help foster peace and stability in the world and secure the interests of developing countries".
Referring to the South African president's previous year visit to Tehran as effective for deepening ties, he expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries develop in the banking sector as well.
As for the regional issues, Larijani appreciated what he called the stance taken by South Africa on defending rights of the people of Palestine.
"Tehran welcomes expansion of cooperation with Pretoria in economic area and energy sphere", the president added.
Mbete also called for closer cooperation with Iran at worldwide level to boost peace and friendship in the world.
