European Union (EU), on Friday in Abuja, reassured of its relentless support for the development policies and programmes of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The union’s Managing Director, External Action Service, Rita Laranjinha, unveiled the support when she briefed Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on the forthcoming Ministerial Dialogue, schedule for Oct. 19.
Laranjinha, who pledged that the EU would continue to identify more areas of collaboration, disclosed that she was in the country ahead of the Ministerial Dialogue with Nigerian officials.
” This Ministerial Dialogue will be chaired by the Vice President of the EU Mission.
He will be here to hold meetings with members of the Nigerian government to take stock of the relations between the EU and Nigeria in different areas and to prepare for the way forward in this relationship.
“Today, it was very clear that there is a lot of common interest in the relationship but there is still a lot more to do.
“Nigeria matters in the region, continent and the world, and the EU wants to make sure that we will be a partner of choice for Nigeria.”
She thanked the vice president for his support, adding that the EU delegation was committed to working closely with Nigeria in the different areas of trade, investments, energy, digitalization, peace and security matters.
While welcoming the team to the Presidential Villa, Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s resolve to remain open to interventions that work.
He added that mutual and beneficial partnerships remained the utmost in President Tinubu’s foreign policy directive.
He maintained that the Tinubu administration remains a breath of fresh air despite its current share of challenges.
“The nation, like a phoenix, will rise from the ashes of despair and soar. Support us and we will, in turn, support, not just West Africa but also the entire African continent as a result of our Domino effect.
“We are really out to reposition this country. God has blessed this nation. We have not utilised half of our arable and fertile land, as well as our bountiful human resources.
“We are ready to partner with the EU in the execution of mutually-beneficial projects and programmes to the benefit of Nigerians.”
Shettima, who expressed concern about migration issues, called on the EU to join hands with the Tinubu administration in creating jobs in the digital world.
He added that the EU agenda perfectly blends with the eight-point agenda of the Tinubu administration.”