The AU Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran have signed, today, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the area of peace and security.
The signing comes as part of a three-day visit by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smaïl Chergui to Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, where he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Javad Zarif, and other senior officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, Mr. Hossein Jaberi Ansari; and the Director General of the Africa Department, Mr. Mehdi Agha Jafari.
Ambassador Chergui discussed with his interlocutors a range of regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern, including piracy, transnational organized crime, terrorism and violent extremism, including the regional and global repercussions of the situation in the Middle East and particularly the threat posed by returning foreign fighters, and thus underscored the need for integrated security and development approaches to combat these transnational threats. In this regard, they agreed to establish stronger counter-terrorism cooperation through exchange of expertise and joint trainings.
The Iranian counterparts applauded the increasingly critical role of the AU in managing conflict situations across the continent and expressed support for more predictable funding for AU Peace Support Operations that takes into consideration their complex mandates. They further agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction and development to consolidate peace and stability on the continent.
Distributed by APO on behalf of African Union Peace and Security Department.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
