Abuja — Nigeria has pledged to work closely with Brazil as the two countries prepare to take their seat as member of the UN Security Council in January 2010.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse gave this assurance when he received the Brazilian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maria L . R. Viotti.

The Brazilian envoy was in Nigeria to consult on issues that should be given priority at the Security Council during their tenure.

Nigeria and Brazil were both elected into the Security Council on October 15th 2009 on the wings of the on-going 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly which ends in December 2009.

According to a statement by Mr. Ayo Olukanni, the Ambassador observed that "the issues of peace, security and conflict resolution on the African continent will continue to receive a lot of attention in the Council, drawing attention to situation in countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Guinea and Niger Republic among others".

It was therefore agreed that Nigeria and Brazil should work closely to ensure that during their tenure the work of the Council will help the process of resolution of conflicts and the search for peace in these areas.