Tehran - XINHUA
Iran is prepared to supply oil products to Senegal, just as it aims to establish a foothold in the African market, Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Press TV on Sunday. "Iran can be a good supplier of oil products to Senegal and its own neighboring countries," Zanganeh said in a meeting with visiting Senegalese Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye in Tehran on Saturday night. Iran can also help renovate oil treatment facilities in Senegal, Zanganeh said, adding that his country is willing to develop long- term cooperation in oil, gas and petrochemical production and refining with Senegal. For his part, Ndiaye said his country is interested in benefiting from Iran's assistance in the construction of refineries, natural gas storage and sulfur supply to its chemical plants, according to the report. On Saturday, Iran's First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri said his country's foreign policy approach is to improve ties with African states and Tehran is ready to help resolve problems in Africa, according to Press TV. "The Islamic Republic of Iran, which holds the rotating presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement, is ready to participate in initiatives aimed to settle problems in the African region," Jahangiri said here in a meeting with the Senegalese foreign minister. He expressed hope that the exchange of visits between Iranian and Senegalese officials would further pave the way for strengthening cooperation, especially in the industrial sectors, given the two countries' great capacities. Ndiaye said Tehran and Dakar have very good prospects for enhanced relations, saying his visit to Iran was a new chapter in mutual ties. He added the two countries could increase cooperation in various fields such as in oil, gas and electricity sectors.