President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday in Abuja called for improved economic relations to deepen bilateral ties with Argentina and Sri Lanka.
The president made the call shortly after receiving letters of credence from the new Ambassador of Argentina to Nigeria, Mr Gustavo Dzugala and the new High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Nigeria, Mr Panagoda Liyanage.
At the separate audiences at the State House, the president said that while Nigeria had good diplomatic ties with both countries, the economic relations needed to be strengthened.
“The economic linkages are weak and we must do everything necessary to boost economic ties,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa for pledging to support Nigeria’s quest for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
Dzugala expressed the desire of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to
improve relations with Nigeria.
He said the Argentine President had approved the building of a permanent embassy in Abuja as a demonstration of that commitment.
He also disclosed that a high-level trade delegation from Argentina would visit Nigeria soon.
Liyanage said the president of Sri Lanka looked forward to welcoming President Jonathan at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which will be hosted by Sri Lanka in November.
