Saeid, in an exclusive with PANA Saturday on Iran-Gambian relation and the expected benefits and Iran's foreign policy, indicated that the foreign policy of his country is to have a good relationship with its neighbours and the entire world.
He said the West has a problem with countries relying on what they have and not servile to any nation.
'We are a peace loving country in good relationship with our neighbours. All the misconceptions about us is that the United States does not want to see some countries independent. I want to tell you that they do not even want to see African people totally independent,' stressed Saeid.
The Ambassador pointed that there has been a lot of sacrifices for the independence of Iran, which should not be in vain, because it cost some people their lives, adding that the Iranian mentality cannot be savoured by the West, because the country does not succumb to mental slavery.
Listing the achievements of the Iran-Gambian cooperation, he said they faced some challenges in the beginning but there are now some registered monuments, which comprise the full establishment of an embassy in The Gambia and an agricultural office for the implementation of the agricultural projects in Kotu.
As part of the projects, he said they have the plan of coming up with a mining project as well.
According to him, the Iranian Minister of Agriculture recently visited The Gambia to see ways and means of working with Gambians on an agricultural project for the economic benefit of the African country.
He noted that a project for the exportation of agricultural products, especially fruits such as mangoes from The Gambia to Iran, is also on the pipeline.
'As we are just at the beginning, there are many developments expected, such as the creation of an exchange programme between Gambian youths and Iranian youths,' he disclosed.
'This is a very meaningful relationship, because The Gambia is a country predominantly peopled by Muslims and Iran is also an Islamic country,' said Saeid.
He emphasised that Muslims should be brothers and sisters, noting that the main reason for the relationship is to forge a stronger bond of brotherhood in order to support each other economically, especially in the area of agriculture.
On the Iranian President's visit to The Gambia, the Ambassador said the purpose was to further strengthen the relationship between both countries.
He pointed out that they have discussed and agreed on a join communique, adding that the discussions were very fruitful as all was geared toward boosting the existing relationship.
On his personal view about The Gambia, Saeid said being endowed as citizens of a potentially rich country, Gambian people are exceptionally jolly good fellows.
'The Gambia has sufficient land, rain falls and a good climate, which form an essential part of her natural richness and if well utilised, can enhance food self sufficiency for the country,' he said.
Banjul - Pana 06/12/2009
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