Iran calls for media cooperation between independent countries

TEHRAN, Feb.20(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast called for expansion of media ties between independent countries in efforts to neutralize the Western propaganda campaign against independent states.

Mehmanparast made the remarks in a meeting with Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi on Friday.

“Westerners have always tried to present a negative image of independent countries through their media outlets,” he said.

He added that the Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran has always encouraged the media at home to establish contact with media from independent countries in order to gain access to reliable information and also be able to counter the propaganda campaign by the Western media outlets.

He went on to say that in line with this policy the two countries can develop their media cooperation.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Mehmanparast said Iran and Zimbabwe have a strong political relationship, so they can boost their relations in the economic and cultural spheres as well.

Mumbengegwi said that Tehran and Harare can strengthen relations as they share common interests.

Mumbengegwi also pointed to the West’s hostile approach toward Zimbabwe, saying the West has imposed the severest sanctions on his country just because the government prevented the West from plundering the African nation’s natural resources.

Mehmanparast also met with Zimbabwean presidential spokesman Robert Chambara on Friday.

Mehmanparast, heading a media team, is on a tour of Africa and left Harare for Nairobi on Saturday to meet with Kenyan officials.