Ahmadinejad’s Invitation Letter Submitted To Niger President

Tehran, July 1, IRNA - Minister of Cooperative, Labor and Social Welfare Abdolreza Sheikholeslami on Saturday submitted President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s letter of invitation to Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou to take part in the 16th Non-Aligned Summit in Tehran. He also conveyed Ahmadinejad’s heartfelt greetings to his Niger counterpart and underlined expansion of ties between Iran and Niger. Sheikholeslami said Iran considers no limitations on expansion of ties with African countries especially with Niger. He said regional and international developments especially those taking place in north Africa necessitated exchange of views with heads of states of friendly countries such as Niger. Issoufou appreciated his Iranian counterpart’s invitation and said Iran and Niger are two great Muslim states and their religious commonalities has led to strengthening of mutual ties. He said Iran is one of the great and strong powers of Islamic world and expressed his county’s readiness to reinforce ties and cooperation with Iran. Niger is to open its Embassy in Tehran before 2014. Sheikholeslami also met with Niger Prime Minister Brigi Rafini, Foreign Minister Mohammed Bazoum and Minister of Public Occupation and Labor Sabu Fatima Zahra./end