The federal government has expressed interest towards solidifying its ties with the government of the Republic of Serbia to work closely with Nigeria on areas of electoral reform and the war against corruption.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed said this yesterday in his office when he received the visiting Serbian minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vuk Jeremic. He further disclosed that the cooperation between the two countries would equally involve areas of infrastructure for transport and power supply.

Additionally, Yayale said that the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua had succeeded in ending the restiveness in the Niger Delta by being sincere in tackling the problem.

He called on the minister to articulate a closer relationship between Nigeria and his country, and described him as an embodiment of an excellent future relationship between Nigeria and Serbia.

Earlier, the Serbian minister of Foreign Affairs briefed the SGF on the desire of his country to strengthen the bilateral cordial relationship existing between the two countries, adding that Nigeria is an important country which has contributed to global peace.

"The presence of Nigeria is felt in the world in positive ways, including being a member of the Security Council of the United Nations," Mr. Vuk Jeremic said.

The minister said that this was his first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa, and announced the establishment of a Non-aligned Movement Scholarship Fund for students from countries in the Non-aligned Movement wishing to study in Serbia.

Mr. Vuk Jeremic said that the Non-aligned Movement would celebrate its golden jubilee in 2011 in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, and expressed the hope that Nigeria would be represented at the ceremony.