North Korea’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Jong Yong Chol, expressed the country’s position when he visited the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, in Abuja.
He said “President Goodluck Jonathan signed the anti-homosexual bill into law in January this year and the U.S. and the western countries strongly opposed it.
“They even threatened to impose sanctions on Nigeria. This is a serious interference into Nigeria’s internal affairs.’’
The ambassador particularly commended Nigeria for protecting its values in spite of the threats and opposition from other countries.
According to him, the prohibition of homosexual activities by the Nigerian authority is a demonstration of its independence as a sovereign nation.
Jong requested Nigeria’s support at the forthcoming UN Human Rights Council’s Ordinary Session in Geneva, Switzerland.
He said the DPRK was requesting Nigeria to make a speech to support and adopt that DPRK’s proposals and also oppose contrary opinions against the country.
The ambassador said that the U.S. and other western countries were alleging human rights abuses against DPRK to further isolate the country.
He, however, said that respect for human rights in his country was not depreciating and called on countries accusing it to desist.
Responding, Mohammed said Nigeria respected the values and independence of other countries.
According to him, Nigeria does not impose its values on any country and will not allow any country to unnecessarily impose external values on it.
He pledged Nigeria’s continued support and commitment to global peace and security.
The minister, who also received the outgoing Serbian Ambassador to Nigeria, Rifat Rondic, commended the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Serbia during his tenure.
Rondic had earlier informed the minister that he had spent 1,600 days in Nigeria and was about to leave for Serbia.
He delivered his country’s congratulatory message to Nigeria on its election to the UN Security Council’s non-permanent seat, saying that the country’s embassy building in Abuja would be completed before the end of 2014.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Michael Arrion, also visited Mohammed.
During the visit, Arrion informed the minister of the forthcoming EU-African Summit on transformation of Africa’s economy.
Arrion also informed the minister that the EU President, Jose Barroso, would visit Nigeria from Feb. 22 to Feb. 23.
In his response, Mohammed said ECOWAS and African countries were working to harmonise their relations with the EU.
He said “I hope the collaboration will be a win-win relationship for both groups.’’
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