China-Nigeria consular forum held to oil cooperation

ABUJA, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Nigeria furthered talks on consular issues on Friday, with a promise to find solutions to some of the problems in cooperation.

The second China-Nigeria Consular Forum, organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, is an annual event to discuss consular matters and strengthen relations between the two countries.

Chinese ambassador in Nigeria Zhou Pingjian told participants at the gathering in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, that the issues raised and the solutions proffered would help China and Nigeria sustain positive developments that the forum has afforded both sides to realize.

According to the ambassador, the forum would go a long way to address other consular issues in the future and oil the wheel of cooperation between the two countries in all areas.

"For every good bilateral ties you have to benefit the two peoples ... and the consular forum is for the promotion of understanding between the Nigerian officials and the Chinese community. This is a very good avenue to boost understanding, boost mutual perception for the two people for their relations to a better future," Zhou said

The meeting was attended by the Nigerian authorities and the Chines community, including embassy staff, Chinese companies and investors.

Rabiu Dagaril, director of the consular and immigration department in Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the forum as "a successful one".

The official said the forum had addressed the right issues at the right time and urged stronger cooperation in the areas of consular and security matters.

"We have heard the things that the Chinese want and we have also highlighted our own concerns and I think that, generally, we are in agreement that there are not many problems that we can not overcome," he said.