Nicaraguan lawmakers meet with Iranian FM to bolster ties

Nicaraguan legislators on Tuesday met with visiting Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to bolster political ties between the two countries.

After meeting with the Nicaragua-Iran Friendship Group of the Nicaraguan parliament, Zarif, who heads a sizeable business delegation, called the encounter "quite fruitful."

"Political ties between the two countries are excellent and given that, I hope we can extend economic and trade ties between the two peoples," said Zarif, adding "that's why I am accompanied by a delegation from the state and private sectors."

Iran is looking to "expand ties in all fields," including construction, industry, mining, agriculture, medicine and science, especially nanotechnology," said Zarif.

Iran's top diplomat also met with representatives of ProNicaragua, the country's export promotion agency; the Finance Ministry; and Nicaragua's Grand Interoceanic Canal project, according to state news website El 19 Digital.

The Iranian delegation comprised more than 60 private-sector representatives and more than 20 public-sector envoys, "a reflection of the interest in expanding ties with Nicaragua," the news agency said.

Iran's business delegation included representatives from an array of sectors, including oil and gas, land and maritime transport, the automobile industry and dairy foods, as well as private-sector financing agencies and "the development bank," said Zarif.

Nicaragua and Iran have both undergone revolutionary processes to free themselves from dominating powers, Zarif noted, adding "I hope this marks a new chapter between our two countries."

Zarif is on a six-nation tour of Latin America that first took him to Cuba. He will also head to Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Enditem