Araqchi made the remarks during a meeting with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop in New York on Monday on the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations between Iran and Mali as well as international developments.

Araqchi expressed appreciation for Mali’s principled positions against violations of international law and unilateral coercive measures, as well as for the solidarity expressed by the Malian people and government with Iran in the face of US and Israeli military aggression.

Emphasizing Iran’s determination to strengthen relations with developing countries, including African states and particularly the members of the Alliance of Sahel States, Araqchi announced Iran’s readiness to hold a joint meeting with the three AES member countries.

Araqchi also reiterated Iran’s principled position in support of the independence and national sovereignty of all countries and condemned illegal pressure and interference by some European countries in the internal affairs of Sahel states.

He said some European countries have taken steps to establish and finance terrorist groups and organized crime in the region.

Diop, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the growing relations between Mali and Iran and briefed Araqchi on recent developments in Mali and the Sahel region.

He stressed that Mali and other African nations would not allow the colonial and interventionist ambitions of some European governments to be realized.