NIAMEY, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and his Iranian counterpart Mahamoud Ahmedinajd on Tuesday signed several cooperation agreements during the Iranian leader's official visit to Niger.
On Tuesday, the two leaders met in Niamey with delegations from both countries.

The session ended with the signinlayer - tion agreements including a document on the removal of visas between the two countries for diplomats.

Niger's chamber of commerce and industry also signed an agreement with the Iranian Embassy in Niamey. Another agreement was inked on health cooperation between the two countries.

Other documents cover the finalization of the procedures to allow the importation of Iranian goods, electricity generation and the construction of inter-changes in the capital Niamey.

At the opening of the meeting, the Nigerien president said he was pleased with Ahmadinejad's visit which came just a few weeks after the Feb. 18 meeting in Tehran of the Iran-Niger joint cooperation commission.

He said the meeting opened cooperation between the two countries in new fields, especially the opportunities offered to Niger's private sector.

To this end, Issoufou urged the chambers of commerce for both countries to put in place Niger-Iran business council as early as possible.

He also urged Iran to contribute to the achievement of Niger's Economic and Social Development Program (PDES 2012-2015).

Issoufou noted that the cooperation between his country and Iran will not only bring prosperity for Nigeriens, but promote peace, stability and security in the world.

He mentioned the situation in Mali and Syria, reiterating that Niger hold the position of promoting peace through layer - g against terrorism in all forms.

Ahmadinejad said he was pleased that both Niger and Iran share Islamic principles and they "are two countries which are seeking to develop based on their natural potentialities."

"We are not against the interests of other countries and we are asking them to cease intervening in our internal affairs," the Iranian president said.

He congratulated President Issoufou for the ambitious economic projects he has initiated in Niger.

By Xinhua

 

The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.