Iran VP: Tehran-Quito relations to enemies’ detriment

Iran's Vice President for International Affairs Ali Saeedlou says the arrogant powers seek to undermine Tehran’s ties with Ecuador, as such relations are to the detriment of the adversaries. They (the hegemonic powers) know that any increase in the level of political and economic cooperation between Tehran and Quito can endanger their interests in the region. This is the reason that they are constantly hatching plots and [engaging in acts of] sabotage,” said Saeedlou in a meeting with Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa in Quito on Wednesday. He called on the two countries to make use of the bilateral potentials and stated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran places no limits on the expansion of cooperation with Ecuador.” Saeedlou also extended Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s invitation to his Ecuadorian counterpart to attend the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)summit in Tehran. The 16th summit of the NAM member states will be held on August 26-31 in the Iranian capital, Tehran. NAM is comprised of some 120 member states and 17 observer countries. Correa, for his part, stressed the importance of the fight against unilateralism and extremism of the arrogant and bullying powers. He also called for the formation of a united front to counter political and imperialistic measures by hegemonic powers against independent nations.