"I expressed my appreciation for Niger`s support, so that Indonesia could be elected as the Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council 2019-2020," Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, AM Fachir, said in a statement here on Friday.
The statement was delivered during a meeting with the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou on Thursday.
In the meeting, the Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister was accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador in Abuja, the Director of Africa and the Operational Director of PT WIKA.
The President of Niger expressed his hope that Indonesia could encourage the United Nations to pay more attention to Niger and other Sahel countries, especially in their efforts to eradicate terrorism in the Sahel region.
Niger also urged Indonesia, as a Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, to continue their contributions in maintaining peace in the Niger region.
At the meeting, President Issoufou expressed Niger`s hope that Indonesia could participate in the development of infrastructure in Niger, including in the energy, telecommunications and railway sectors, in accordance with Niger`s Social and Economic Development Plan.
Also, the Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister spoke of Indonesia`s interest, through PT. WIKA, to participate in the Niger Electric (PLN Niger) development project, as well as the construction of the Niger railway line.
The Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister`s visit follows the directive of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, to follow up on the state visit of the President of Niger to Indonesia in October 2017, and a series of follow-up activities, as discussed at the Indonesia-Africa Forum, held April 10-11, 2018 in Bali.
The President of Niger also expressed his condolences following the recent earthquakes that struck Indonesia. The condolences were also conveyed by the President of Niger through a letter to the President of the Republic of Indonesia.
Reported by Azis Kurmala
Edited by Andi Abdussalam
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
