Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that his government
is willing to sign agreements with Nicaragua on a wide range of issues.
Ahmadinejad, on his visit to the Central American nation, said the two
countries have "common interests, common enemies and common challenges" and that
the accords will focus on politics, culture, economics, investment and
construction.
Daniel Ortega, who took office as Nicaraguan president on Wednesday, said he
had begun working with Ahmadinejad on Saturday night "to reach constructive
agreements to fight hunger, unemployment and poverty.
He added that there is an urgent need to "take initiatives that contribute to
the well-being of our people, defending our sovereignty and our right to
progress".
Described Ortega as "a symbol of justice and independence," Ahmadinejad said
he is confident that the two countries will boost their relations and reach
accords beyond expectations.
The two governments also agreed to work together to re-open embassies in each
other's countries, which had been closed since 1990 when Ortega left office.
Ahmadinejad arrived in Nicaragua from Venezuela, where he announced the
creation of a 2-billion-dollar fund for helping Venezuela and Iran.
He will visit a mosque in the southeast of Managua later on Sunday.