Iran Press/ Africa: President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger paid a 'friendship and work visit' to Mali on Saturday with his Malian counterpart Ibrahim Abu Bakr Keita.
The two sides discussed security issues, as well as the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism by establishing a cross-border security committee.
The cross-border committee is made up of the ministers of defense, security, foreign affairs, justice and finance of the two countries, as well as the representatives of the two countries' National Security Councils, Iran Press reported.
Nigerian and Malian leaders have advised the ministers involved in the plan to launch the committee as soon as possible.
The two sides also discussed the upcoming summit of the West African Economic Community, which will be held September 14 on the topic of combating terrorism in the coastal region of Chad and Lake Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou.
During a joint conference with his Malian counterpart, Issoufou declared that the status of Kidal, still in the hands of ex-rebels, is a threat to Niger and that terrorist acts are sometimes committed with the government. Complicity of some signatories of the Algiers peace agreement.
Niger and Mali leaders expressed hope that the Ouagadougou summit would lead to new measures that would enhance regional cooperation in countering terrorism and extremism. 203/208/213
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