Iran, Niger ink two cooperation deals
Iran and Niger on Wednesday signed two documents on expanding cooperation in the economic, political and health sectors, Xinhua reported.
During a ceremony in the Iranian capital Tehran, officials from both countries signed a document on the comprehensive economic and political cooperation as well as a memorandum of understanding for collaboration in the health sector, the report said.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber said a main strategy of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration has been to develop political, economic and cultural ties with African states, including Niger.
He congratulated the African country on the formation of its independent government, adding that Iran is satisfied with the preliminary steps to reopen Niger’s Embassy in Tehran, a move that would definitely contribute to the two countries’ growing relations.
Mokhber noted that the two countries had earlier held two joint cooperation commission meetings in Tehran, adding the Iranian government believed that the groundwork should be prepared swiftly to hold such meetings again.
The Nigerien prime minister, for his part, called for efforts to turn the documents signed between the two countries during his visit to contracts as soon as possible.
He said that good consultations and meetings were held during his trip to Tehran, adding that the two countries’ bilateral relations could definitely be improved by convening sessions of the joint cooperation commission.
The Nigerien prime minister arrived in Tehran on Tuesday on a three-day visit at the invitation of the Iranian first vice president.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a meeting with Niger’s FM Bakary Yaou Sangaré on Thursday emphasized the readiness his country to cooperate with the African state in economically beneficial areas.
Speaking in the meeting, Niger’s FM said his visit to Iran was to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries and to raise the level of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.