TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mohammad-Mehdi Zahedi called here Monday for establishment of a joint financial fund with South Africa to support research projects in the two countries.

Zahedi, during a meeting with South African Minister of Science and Technology Mosibudi Mangena, expressed Iran's readiness to exchange university professors and students with South Africa.

He called for exchange of experiences between the two countries' universities and activation of their scientific committees to achieve this goal.

Speaking on Iran's nuclear program, he said the country was pursuing a purely peaceful nuclear program as part of its desire to advance its scientific capabilities.

Alluding to the friendly mutual ties between Tehran and Pretoria, Mangena called for direct cooperation between their universities.

He urged stronger relations between the two sides’ researchers and scientists which, he said would bring remarkable benefits to their two nations.