Iranian Foreign Minister discusses peace in Horn

At a press conference in Addis Ababa on Monday Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharrazi pledged to cooperate in trying and achieve peace in war-ravaged Somalia and southern Sudan. Both said peace in the two countries was vital to ensure stability in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said Ethiopia and Iran were committed to "cooperate and consult" to bring about stability in the region. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi also welcomed a new initiative for increased economic ties during a high-level visit to Ethiopia. He said both counties acted as "gateways" for major economic development within the two regions (Central Asia and the Horn of Africa). "I think there is great potential for the two sides to develop," he said. "The two countries can be gateways to the two great regions for economic cooperation. I believe there is a very positive prospect for cooperation between Iran and Ethiopia." Seyoum said he and his Iranian counterpart had discussed how best to help promote the peace process through the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). "We have discussed Somalia - not only discussed but also extended our discussion to how best we can cooperate in assisting peace to be achieved in Somalia within the framework of IGAD and in supporting the regional framework of national reconciliation in Somalia," he told a press conference at the foreign ministry in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. He also said ending the civil war that has devastated Sudan was of vital importance to ensuring stability in the Horn of Africa. "The question of southern Sudan is also of concern to the subregion, and a concern to Iran as a close friend to the African regime [in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum]." Kharrazi also paid tribute to the international community for its help after an earthquake hit his country. "It is a tragedy that earthquakes happen, and unfortunately Ethiopia is [also] located on an earthquake belt." He said his government was trying to alleviate the suffering of families hit by the quake, but that this took time. "Different countries all over the world have been quite kind to help us and extend their assistance to us, and we appreciate that," he added. Kharrazi is on a two-day visit to Ethiopia and will meet Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and President Girma Wolde-Giorgis. He will also give a keynote speech at a conference being organised by the Ethiopian Institute for Peace and Development.