The visiting Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, June 29.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader stated that the expansion of relations and cooperation with African countries, especially Muslim nations in Africa, is high on the agenda of the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy.
"There are vast areas and great potential for the expansion of cooperation between Iran and Mali, and efforts should be made to fulfill this potential," the Leader told the Malian president.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the rich culture and civilization and also abundant natural resources of African countries. He emphasized that despite the attempts made by certain powers to prevent the African nations from utilizing their resources, the African countries are able to boost their capabilities through scientific and technological vitality and dynamism.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic underlined the necessity for increased cooperation among Islamic countries.
"Today, a political campaign has been launched against Islam by the arrogant powers, and the unity among Muslims is the only way to confront this anti-Islamic campaign," the Leader remarked.
The Malian President, for his part, expressed pleasure over his visit to the Islamic Republic. He said that favorable negotiations have been held between the officials of the two countries over the expansion of relations and cooperation, and he expressed hopes that the bilateral agreements will soon be carried into effect.
Amadou Toumani Toure further referred to the fact that Muslims constitute some 85 percent of his country's population, and he stressed the need for greater attention to be paid by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to the problems facing Muslim nations in Africa.