Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with top Nigerien officials, including Prime Minister Brigi Rafini and President Mahamadou Issoufou, about a range of issues, including ways of boosting relations between the two countries. In the meeting with Rafini in Niger on Thursday, Zarif discussed the latest regional and international developments and mutual relations, Tasnim News Agency reported. The top Iranian diplomat also attended a separate meeting with President Issoufou the same day. In addition, Zarif met with his Nigerien counterpart, Ibrahim Yacouba, and exchanged views about the latest efforts to deepen Tehran-Niamey ties in political and economic fields. The two top diplomats also chaired a joint meeting on bilateral trade. Speaking at the meeting, Zarif pointed to his talks with Niger's officials and said there is political will on both sides to promote cooperation between the Islamic Republic and the African country. Heading a politico-economic delegation, the Iranian minister visited Niger on the final leg of his African tour that had taken him to South Africa and Uganda.
