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Gambia: Iran strengthens Gambia ties

The Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad assured that his country’s diplomatic ties with The Gambia are strong.

Mr Ahmadinejad added that Tehran sees no limitations in expanding ties with Banjul because there is no obstacle that impedes the two countries’ relations.

“Iran is prepared to share its experiences in various fields, including fishing and farming, with the Gambian nation,” the Iranian President confirmed at a meeting with the visiting Gambian Foreign Minister to the southern city of Shiraz, Musa Bala Garba Jahumpa.

The Iranian leader said since his country and The Gambia have many common viewpoints on international and development issues, Iran is on its feet to transfer its expertise in agriculture to the small West African country.

Mr Jahumpa assured the Iranian leader of his Gambia’s undivided support Iran against what he called “hegemonic powers,” nothing that the development of the Islamic Republic equally means the development of all independent countries, including The Gambia.

Gambian Foreign Minister said his country defends Iran’s right to possess peaceful nuclear energy because this can be a starting point for other independent states to achieve peaceful nuclear energy technology.

Mr Jahumpa also stressed The Gambia’s interest to strengthen ties with Iran and in the process tap experience in the energy sector.

Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, was elated when the Mr Ahmadinejad assured him of his country’s full backing to The Gambia – a country that sees itself more and more included in a block of ostracised countries, mainly because of its appalling human rights credentials.

President Jammeh was given the assurance while on tour in the Islamic Republic last year. The visit was the first he had embarked on since his escape from the 21 March 2006 abortive coup.

At a farewell ceremony, Mr Ahmadinejad said no amount of pressure would prevent consolidation of the new, deepening ties between Iran and The Gambia.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran supports The Gambia. We strive to settle problems through cooperation and joint efforts for the benefit of our two nations," President Ahmadinejad said.

He said the two countries share lots of things in common and that they are subjected to pressure by certain "bullying" powers. "So we will support The Gambia," the Iranian assured his guest.

"Iran will provide three credit lines to Gambia for projects to develop its agriculture, industry, infrastructure and energy sectors and boost investment in the country," Mr Ahmadinejad promised.

President Jammeh described his Iranian tour as the most successful because his country stood to gain unlimited development” from the Iranian potentials.

The Gambia has been accused by its critics of turning to anti-west after its honeymoon the west has deminished. It has loosened diplomatic ties with most western countries but at the same time strengthen those on the contrary. These included Cuba, Iran and Venezuela. In fact, Mr Jammeh invited Presidents of Iran and Venezuela as special guests to the African Union Summit in Banjul last year.