Niger's role in regional and international affairs makes it a key partner for Italy, which plans to ramp up cooperation with the African country, deputy foreign minister Emanuela Del Re tweeted Thursday during a visit.
"Italy considers Niger a priority strategic partner: we appreciate its role at international and at regional level at heart of ECOWAS and as president of the United Nations Security Council," read the tweet.
"We intend to strengthen our cooperation with Niger," the tweet underlined.
Niger belongs to ECOWAS, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States and in September held the UN Security Council presidency.