Events

MINSK, 9 September (BelTA) - Belarus and Nigeria agreed to bolster ties in all areas to raise the bilateral cooperation to the level of strategic partnership. This is one of the results of the official visit of the Belarusian delegation led by Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei to Nigeria on 8-9 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the Foreign Ministry.

The delegation included representatives of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Foreign Ministry, Minsk Automobile Plant, Minsk Tractor Works, and other Belarusian enterprises.

The head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry was received by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Jonathan Goodluck. The parties discussed the ways of enhancing bilateral ties in political, trade-economic, military-technical and other areas.

Vladimir Makei conveyed a personal message from Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko to the President of Nigeria and an invitation to visit Belarus.

During the talks with Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Wali the parties reviewed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, agreed on the approaches to a number of topics on the international agenda. A decision was taken to facilitate consideration of the draft agreements on trade and economic cooperation and on investment promotion and protection which are under consideration of the Nigerian side.

Vladimir Makei informed the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs about Belarus’ intention to create plants to assemble Belarusian tractors, agricultural machines and trucks in Nigeria.

In a meeting with Nigerian National Security Adviser Mohammed Dasuki, the parties discussed the current state and further development of Belarusian-Nigerian relations in the military-technical area. The two sides agreed that one of the most dangerous global challenges today is international terrorism. Agreements were reached on closer cooperation on this issue in the context of bilateral relations and in multilateral format.

The Belarusian delegation also met with Nigerian Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment Olusegun Aganga to discuss the industrial cooperation and the ways of bolstering the bilateral trade.

During the visit, Vladimir Makei held a roundtable with representatives of the Belarusian exporters, official dealers of domestic enterprises in Nigeria and the Nigerian business community. The meeting focused on the ways of further development of trade and economic relations between the two countries, specific bilateral projects, and some issues regarding the Belarusian exports to Nigeria.

A cooperation agreement was signed between the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mining and Agriculture. The agreement provides for the intensification of work to exchange business visits, search for trade and economic partners, and exchange commercial offers.

Several letters of intent were signed to increase the deliveries of Belarusian products to Nigeria.

During the visit, Vladimir Makei presented the patents to the newly appointed honorary consuls of Belarus to Nigeria.