Eurasia Press & News
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described his tour of the three Latin nations which took him to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ecuador as successful.
Speaking to reporters upon returning home from his tour of Latin America, where he attended the oath of office ceremony of Ecuadorian president-elect Rafael Correa, Ahmadinejad stressed that there exists an overwhelming wave of vigilance and justice and independence-seeking in Latin America, which he said is an indication of the opposition of Latino nations to the system of hegemony.
“That the system of hegemony is angry at this tour illustrates the success of the visit,” he continued.
Noting the wide geographical extent and rich natural resources and potentials of Latin America, the president said that Iranians and Latinos share many similarities.
He further pointed out that Iran and Latin countries can act complementary to one another, and pointed out that his administration prioritizes expansion of ties with Latin America in various areas of mutual interest.
The president also stated that the present opportunity must be seized to enjoy the proper grounds existing in Latin American countries for long-term as well as macro-scale and entrepreneurial investments.
“In addition to the 120 agreements that the two countries had already endorsed, Iran and Venezuela also signed 11 more contracts and memoranda of understanding,” he reminded.
Ahmadinejad further named Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez as a revolutionary figure whose viewpoints about global, cultural and economic issues are very close to those of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“At present, multiple groups from the Iranian private and governmental sectors are executing giant projects in Venezuela,” he reminded, saying that Iran and Latin America enjoy ample potentials for joint cooperation.
The president also stated that Latin nations are fed up with the liberal policies imposed on them, “and we can see that they take every opportunity to show their opposition to the system of hegemony.”
Also saying that Latino nations enjoy a rich culture and exalted values, he said, “It is natural that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy stresses support for the righteous demands of these nations and prioritizes expansion of its economic and cultural ties with the said region.”
He pointed to the proper grounds available for Iran-Latin America joint ventures, and said that during his visits to the three Latino states, the two sides have held agreements on joint activity in the various spheres of oil and gas, industries, auto-manufacturing, truck-manufacturing and cement and petrochemicals production.
The president also pointed out that the volume of Iran’s joint investments and trade exchanges with Venezuela is on the increase, and said, “Our exports to Latin America in the last two years have amounted to approximately US$ 2 billion, while there still reside many intact opportunities for joint cooperation.”
He further stressed that Iran’s joint ventures with Latin America will be increased.
Noting Iran’s relations with Nicaragua, Ahmadinejad said that Iran’s ties with this Latin state were impaired when the revolutionary forces were pushed out of the ruling system of that country, and added, “But now the decision has been made by the two sides to resume full diplomatic ties and the Islamic Republic is due to inaugurate its representative office in Managua.
He also reminded that the two countries have endorsed agreements on joint cooperation in 25 different grounds, including exchange of university students and joint ventures in various sectors.
Elsewhere, the president said that the political and economic views of Ecuador resemble those of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, stating that during his meeting with the president of that country, the two sides have agreed to develop mutual ties.
He also said that in his talks with the Bolivian president, the two sides have reached agreements for cooperation in the oil and gas sectors and establishment of milk factories in that country.
