The African Union (AU) has invited Irans Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi to attend the blocs upcoming summit in Ethiopia's capital city, Addis Ababa, in late January.
Salehis visit to Addis Ababa comes upon the invitation of Chairwoman of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the 22nd meeting of AU Executive Council on January 24-25 and the 20th AU summit on January 27-28.
During the visit, Salehi plans to discuss Irans cooperation with the AU and its ties with some African countries, meet African heads of states and foreign ministers, elaborate on Irans domestic and international policies and attend press conferences.
Irans rotational presidency over the Non-Aligned Movement, the presence of high-ranking African officials at the summit and the news about Israels efforts to participate in the event are among the issues that spotlight Irans presence at the summit.
Every year, the African Union, as the continents most important body, convenes at least two summits in January and June.
In line with Irans agenda to expand ties with the African states, Irans top diplomatic envoys have attended all the AUs summits over the past six years.