Iran, Nigeria stress need to boost ties

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/188990.html

Iran and Nigeria have called for expansion of their bilateral ties in different economic and industrial fields.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, who is in the Nigerian capital to attend a Group of Eight Developing Countries (D8) summit, met on Wednesday with his Nigerian counterpart Olugbenga Ashiru, IRNA reported.

During the meeting, which hinged on finding ways to boost Iran-Nigeria relations, the two ministers discussed increasing the volume of trade between the two countries.

Expansion of cooperation in the fields of industry, energy, construction and infrastructure were among the issues addressed in the Wednesday talks.

Salehi and Ashiru also discussed the sharing of technology and expertise between the two sides, and called for a more active role for the private sector in Tehran-Abuja cooperation.

They also called for more visits by expert delegations to help explore further capacities for bilateral cooperation.

The ministers also discussed an expansion of cooperation on regional and international issues, namely in the United Nations, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the D8.

Salehi also invited his newly appointed Nigerian counterpart to visit Iran.

The Iranian minister is scheduled to take part in the 14th ministerial meeting of D8 member countries in Abuja on Thursday.

The Group of Eight Developing Countries, established in Istanbul, Turkey, in June 1997, includes Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

The group seeks to improve the position of developing countries in the world economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at the international level, and provide better standards of living.