AU, Iran sign MoU for cooperation in peace, security

The African Union (AU) and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the area of peace and security.

The signing came on Monday as part of a three-day visit by the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui to Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, where he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif, and other senior officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, Hossein Jaberi Ansari; and the Director General of the Africa Department, Mehdi Agha Jafari, said a statement from AU on Tuesday.

Chergui discussed with his interlocutors a range of regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern, including piracy, transnational organized crime, terrorism and violent extremism. Also included in the discussion were the regional and global repercussions of the situation in the Middle East and particularly the threat posed by returning foreign fighters, and thus the need for integrated security and development approaches to combat the transnational threats.

They have agreed to establish stronger counter-terrorism cooperation through exchange of expertise and joint trainings, according to the statement.

The Iranian counterparts have applauded the increasingly critical role of the AU in managing conflict situations across the continent and expressed support for more predictable funding for AU Peace Support Operations that takes into consideration their complex mandates.

They have further agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction and development to consolidate peace and stability on the continent, according to the statement. Endit