Iran to open embassy in Namibia

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi announced at a joint press conference with his Namibian counterpart Utoni Nujoma here on Sunday that Tehran intends to inaugurate an embassy in Windhoek in the near future. "It was agreed that the Islamic Republic of Iran's embassy be established in Namibia in the near future," Salehi said at the press conference briefing reporters about his meeting with Nujoma earlier in the day. He also announced Tehran's decision for building an oil refinery in Namibia, and said the issue will be discussed in the upcoming meetings between the Namibian industry and mine minister, who accompanies Nujoma, with the Iranian oil officials. Salehi reiterated that Iran is also ready to cooperate with Namibia in agricultural, industrial, infrastructural and trade fields. Since President Ahmadinejad ascended to power, Iran has sought to boost ties and cooperation with both Africa and Latin America. Iran is an observing member of the African Union 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.