Iran, Nigeria keen to expand mutual cooperation

Iranian and Nigerian officials, in a meeting in Tehran, explored avenues for broadening and consolidating relations in various fields. During the meeting in the Iranian capital on Monday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian and Nigerian Minister of State for Works Bashir Yuguda underlined the necessity for the further expansion of mutual cooperation between Iran and Nigeria. During the meeting, Amir Abdollahian pointed to the existing potentials for deepening of Iran-Nigeria relations, and said, “We want continuation and increasing visits of political delegations in different levels between the two countries.” Yuguda, for his part, voiced pleasure with his visit to Iran, and said, “Nigeria is ready to hold joint economic commission with Iran in the near future.” Yuguda arrived in Tehran on Monday morning to submit message of Nigerian president and meet with senior Iranian officials. The two countries have good political relations and in the past few months, the two countries have taken effective steps in direction of strengthening ties and embassies of the two states are active in Tehran and Abuja. Iran has long sought to boost bilateral ties and mutual cooperation with the African countries in a bid to help them with development. Iran is also an observing member of the AU and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings. The country is considered as one of the AU's strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states and Turkey, while Tehran is also believed to be prioritizing promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states.