Tehran, April 25, IRNA – Iran and South Africa signed a joint statement on Monday at the end of the official visit of South African President Jacop Zuma to Iran.

The statement calls for expansion of Tehran-Pretoria cooperation at bilateral, regional and international levels.
The statement said the two sides will cooperate in the fields of agriculture, insurance, banking, oil and gas, shipping and marine transportation, campaign against money laundering and terrorism, formation of joint investment committee, water, industry and trade, culture and arts and establishment of direct air link between Iran and South Africa.
It said the two sides will exchange high-ranking political, economic and cultural delegations and continue consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The 13th Iran-South Africa Joint Economic Cooperation Commission will be held in Pretoria by the end of 2016.
They have targeted trade up to two billion dollars by 2020.
The statement said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had invited South African private sector to invest in Iranian economic sector and Zuma asked Iranian private sector to invest in South Africa's key economic sectors.
The statement said Iran and South Africa believe that respect for human rights and fundamental liberties should be as a priority and not as a choice.
They will hold regular meetings at bilateral and multilateral levels on human rights subject.
South Africa also welcomed Iran's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, appreciating Iran for serious and sincere engagement in talks and agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency within the frameworks of cooperation and full adherence to agreements.
They voiced concern about destructive effects of terrorism on peace, security and development, asking on the international community to build consensus and uproot all forms of terrorism.