TEHRAN -- President Mohammad Khatami said on Thursday that the Islamic Republic gives preference to develop relations with the East and South nations.

In a meeting with Niger Prime Minister Hama Amadou, President Khatami said that Iran is keen to foster relations with the Western African state of Niger and hoped that Tehran-Niamey economic commissio

He said that the South nations have the same destiny and need to pass the road for development and progress, IRNA reported.

President Khatami said that Africa has put behind the liberation movements led by freedom fighters in the past century adding that the humanitarian principles regard equity for every human being.

The president said that the South nations should acquire science and technology to gain power and called for solidarity of the developing countries at regional and international levels to speed up pro

He said that the freedom movement in Africa put an end to apartheid and racism and regretted that the Zionist regime is pursuing racist objectives enjoying support from certain powers.

He appreciated Niger's strong support for the defenseless Palestinians.

Niger's prime minister delivered a message from President Tandja Mamadou to President Khatami. President Mamadou said in his message that solidarity of the South countries would bring a balance betwee

Amadou called for solidarity of the Muslim nations to support the Palestinians and said that sincere cooperation between Iran and Niger would serve mutual interest.

Meanwhile, the visiting Nigerien prime minister here on Wednesday evening expressed hope his country's bilateral cooperation with the Islamic Republic in the areas of politics and economy will receive

During a meeting with Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, he expressed delight in being able to come to Tehran.

Calling for further consultations between the two countries senior officials, he stressed the need to expand bilateral ties in line with the two countries' mutual interests.

For his part, Kharrazi expressed hope that the Nigerien delegation's current visit to Tehran would further enhance Tehran-Niamey economic ties within the framework of South-South cooperation.

"The Islamic Republic attaches special importance to its ties with African countries," he stressed.

Expressing his appreciation for the Nigerien government's move of cutting off relations with Israel, the Iranian foreign minister said it is a boost to international support for the Palestinian nation