Iran, Tanzania to co-operate on art, culture

Iranian Culture Minister Seyed Mohammad Hosseini and Tanzanian Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Emmanuel John Nchimbi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on boosting the two countries' cooperation in areas of art and culture. The MoU underlines increasing cooperation between the two countries in holding cultural weeks and reciprocal visits by Iranian and Tanzanian culture and art groups as well as cooperation between the two sides' cultural organizations and radio and TV cooperation. "The endorsement of the MoU will deepen the cultural relations between the two countries and the cultural policies compiled in the MoU will be implemented gradually," Nchimbi said after signing the MoU in Tehran on Saturday. He expressed the hope that Iranian and Tanzanian officials would make their best efforts to put the contents of the agreement into effect swiftly. Since President Ahmadinejad ascended to power, Iran has sought to boost ties and cooperation with the African and Latin American states. Iran is an observing member of the African Union and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings. The country is considered as one of the AU's strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states and Turkey, while Tehran is also believed to be prioritizing promotion of its economic, cultural and political ties with the African states.