Russian energy minister discusses cooperation in geological exploration, energy, agriculture, transport with Nigerien counterpart
MOSCOW. Oct 5 (Interfax) - Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev discussed interaction in trade, energy, agriculture, transport, information security, culture, sports and education with Nigerien Energy Minister, Lieutenant Colonel Alzoum Seini during a meeting of the first Russian-Nigerien intergovernmental commission (IPC) held in Niamey, the Russian Energy Ministry said.
"Special attention was paid to advancing cooperation in natural resource development and geological exploration. Sergei Tsivilev noted the significant potential of Niger, which possesses large reserves of minerals, and emphasized the importance of conducting comprehensive geological research, forming maps of the resource base and developing plans for developing deposits," the ministry said.
"Geological exploration is a very important area. Niger possesses a significant amount of natural resources. Systematic work needs to be carried out on studying the geology, compiling maps of the resource base, and on this basis, forming a correct plan for developing deposits. We will try to do everything so that not only raw material extraction develops, but also [for] establishing production facilities in the country, so that products with higher added value are exported in the future," Tsivilev said.
At the end of the meeting, the parties continued work as part of the session in a narrow format. The Russian and Nigerien energy ministers were joined by Nigerien Mining Industry Minister, Commissioner-Colonel Ousmane Abarchi. The event was held in a closed format, the ministry said.
With the launch of the work of the Russian-Niger intergovernmental commission, Russia has received an effective mechanism for developing a mutually beneficial partnership with all participants of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Besides Niger, the AES includes Mali and Burkina Faso, with which IPCs were previously created, the ministry said.
