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

Minister of State II for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joe Keshi, both gave this assurance when they received the Brazilian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maria Viotti in the Ministry recently.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs of the Ministry, Ayo Olukanni, the Brazilian envoy who was on her way from the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa was in Nigeria to consult on issues that should be given priority at the Security Council during their tenure.

During the parley, it was agreed that issues of peace, security and conflict resolution on the African continent will continue to receive serious of attention in the Council, with special reference made to the 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.

Maria Viotti also used the opportunity to commend Nigeria for her role in peacekeeping operations in different parts of the World as well as its leadership role in West African and the African Continent.

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