Iran's First VP Leaves for Africa
(FNA)- Iran's First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi left Tehran for a bi-nation tour of Africa on Monday, which will take him to Kenya and Tanzania.
Rahimi left Tehran for the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation.
During the five-day tour of the two African nations, the Iranian vice-president will meet with senior Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities as well as officials in Zanzibar to discuss bilateral ties and consolidation of trade and economic relations.
Rahimi and his accompanying delegation are due to ink several cooperation agreements and contracts during the visit to the African nations.
Meetings with Shiites and Iranian expatriates in Kenya and Tanzania as well as visits to a number historical sites and mosques are also included in the itinerary of the Iranian vice-president during his bi-nation tour of Africa.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration has striven hard to maximize relations with the African continent.
Iran is also an observing member of the AU and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings.
The country is considered as one of the AU's strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states and Turkey, while Tehran is also believed to be prioritizing promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states.