MNA
Foreign Minister Zarif has met with his Nigerian counterpart during his tour of western African countries where he pledged support for country’s fight against terrorist groups of ISIL and Boko Haram.
Javad Zarif and Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigerian counterpart met on Monday and discussed bilateral matters of interest including fighting against ISIL and Boko Haram, two notorious groups with whom Nigerian different governments had been fighting during years.
Zairf told the meeting that Iran-Nigeria relations were not limited to bilateral relations, but that both countries had been players in diverse regional coalitions and organizations as OPEC, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), NAM, and Gas OPEC where they had played crucial roles as well.
“Leading an economic delegation to Nigeria indicates the importance of the country for Iran’s private as well as public sectors of economy; both countries enjoy favorable level of relations, with Nigerian students studying in Iranian universities,” was Zarif’s take on the importance of bilateral ties.
Mr. Onyeama, for his part, said that Iran was very important country in the region and the world and Nigeria welcomed improving ties with this strategic country; “we welcome removing of sanctions against Iranian economy; both countries’ cooperation is vital to the oil market stability; both countries seek to remove the heavy burden of oil income from economies,” he added.