Nigerian President-elect confers with Kufuor

Accra, May 22, GNA - Nigerian President-elect, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, on Tuesday conferred with President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.

Their discussions were held behind closed doors, but were believed to be part of the on-going consultations with regional leaders as he prepares to take office in the populous and oil-rich West African country.

Mr. Yar'Adua, the declared winner of the widely criticised Nigerian poll, would be inaugurated on Tuesday, May 29.

Responding to questions from journalists after the meeting, the President-elect, pledged to build on the excellent bilateral relations between Ghana and his country.

"The cordial relations between our two countries are going to continue," he stated.

He said he would additionally work towards the promotion of regional economic co-operation and integration. President Kufuor said he was happy that Mr. Yar'Adua found time to visit the country.

He said it was his hope that the warm relations existing between the two countries would be further strengthened under Mr Yar'Adua's leadership.

Meanwhile, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has conveyed to President Kufuor, his full support for the African Union (AU) Summit to be hosted by Ghana in July.

His Special Envoy, Ahmed Khalifa Niasse, who is the Minister for Projects, said the Senegalese leader would fully participate in the summit whose agenda was to provide direction for the Union Government for Africa.

President Kufuor labeled the summit as that of "destiny" and said it should set a realistic road map for a united continent. He said Ghana was preparing feverishly to welcome the Heads of State to the meeting.