Iran and Ecuador discuss defence ties

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Dec. 08 – Iran's Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar on Saturday held talks with his Ecuadorian counterpart Javier Ponce, state media reported.

Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Dec. 08 – Iran's Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar on Saturday held talks with his Ecuadorian counterpart Javier Ponce, state media reported.

Mohammad Najjar said, "Common intention of the two countries can pave the way for establishment and expansion of bilateral defensive relations between Iran and Ecuador". His remarks were carried by the official news agency IRNA on Sunday.

Ponce, accompanying President Rafael Correa Delgado in Tehran, was quoted as saying, "We are closely acquainted with Iran's defence abilities and we will discuss ways to expand and develop ties in this concern".

A separate report by IRNA quoted Delgado as calling Ecuador's relations with Iran "strategic" and asking for expansion of ties.

"Our approach in strategic ties is strengthening the real nature of Ecuador as an important country in Latin America and severing dependence on the USA", Delgado reported said during a meeting on Saturday with the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili.