Tehran: Speaker of Iran's Parliament (Majlis), Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has identified Ethiopia as a strategic opportunity for fostering economic relations with Africa, emphasizing the close geographical proximity between the two nations. Qalibaf made these remarks upon his return to Mehrabad Airport in western Tehran after concluding his visit to Ethiopia on Friday evening.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Qalibaf's two-day visit to Ethiopia was centered around discussions on a range of economic and political issues. As members of the BRICS group of emerging economies, Iran and Ethiopia engaged in talks aimed at resolving banking affairs within the bloc's framework.

Qalibaf highlighted Ethiopia's status as Africa's second-most populous nation, noting that Muslims constitute half of its population. He expressed confidence that Tehran could establish growing relations with Addis Ababa, given that it is Africa's fifth-largest economy.

The Majlis speaker also pointed to the Persian Gulf and Bandar Abbas in southern Iran as potential conduits for connecting Asian and African countries, due to their proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

During his visit, Qalibaf met with Iranian businesses operating in Ethiopia and took the opportunity to understand the concerns of the Iranian expatriate community. His trip to Addis Ababa was made at the invitation of Tagesse Chaffo, Speaker of the Ethiopian House of Peoples Representative, with Qalibaf leading a parliamentary delegation.