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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the Iranian Vice President, Mohsen Mansouri, of Nigeria’s readiness to strengthen existing relations with the Islamic Republic.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said this during a courtesy call on him by Mansouri on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit taking place in Doha, the capital city of the State of Qatar.
According to the President, “I have interacted with Iranians over many years especially when I was the Petroleum Minister and understand the country and its people.
“I therefore welcome the strengthening of relations between our countries, as we have complementarities, especially in energy production.”
President Buhari also told his guest about the recent election in Nigeria and the fact that a new President would be taking over in less than three months. He expressed hope that the strong relations he had built between the two countries will continue to endure in the new administration.
The Iranian Vice President said he was glad to meet with President Buhari, understanding fully that the two nations with their rich human and natural resources and the attendant wealth accrued need to cooperate in other areas such as Agriculture.
With Iran currently facing international sanctions over nuclear and other issues, Mansouri stressed that as leaders in their respective regions, it was important for the two countries to push for multilateralism to be the order of the day and avoid a unipolar world, adding that the way forward is to set up and strengthen a joint commission between the two countries at the highest levels.
