Iran, Nigeria Discuss Expansion of Bilateral Ties


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama in a meeting in Tehran explored avenues for promotion of cooperation between the two countries.

During the Monday meeting, Zarif hailed the two countries’ actual capacities for expansion of bilateral ties in the fields of trade, science, and new technologies.

“Iran and Nigeria can increasingly enhance their economic, scientific, and technological capacities within the framework of bilateral and regional cooperation,” Zarif said.

He also noted that Tehran and Abuja have good opportunities for increased cooperation in the fields of electricity, new energies, and regional and Islamic collaborations.

Zarif further pointed to the outcomes of a recent nuclear deal finalized by Tehran and world powers, saying, “We will see a good perspective in the post-sanctions era in banking and trade fields, and Nigeria can form a center of regional collaborations in Africa.”

Onyeama, for his part, voiced his country’s preparedness to work with Tehran in the field of new energies and technologies.

“We have the resolve to expand our economic and cultural cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he reiterated.

The Nigerian minister is in Iran in company with the African country’s president Muhammadu Buhari to attend the 3rd Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit, which is underway in Tehran.