By Francesca Hangeior
The Federal Government has advocated for stronger ties with the European Union to tackle developmental issues confronting the country.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made this advocacy during a courtesy visit on him by members of the European Union Council Working Group on Africa.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (middle) flanked to the left by the Ambassador of EU to Nigeria, Samuella Isopi and to the right by the Chair, Africa Working Party, Yemina Gerfi and other members of the delegation
The Minister appreciated the growing relationship between the European Union and Nigeria, while stating that, “a number of bilateral agreements such as the SAMOA agreement had been signed between both countries”.
He called for more collaboration in the areas of propagating democratic principles, climate change, migration and infrastructural deficits in the country, while expressing hope that Nigeria will remain a market oriented country with double digit growth.
Bagudu assured the delegation that, “the Federal Government had taken a number of measures to tackle the inflation in the country by reducing monetary supply, introducing more inflow of foreign exchange, boosting of domestic production of agricultural products and manufacturing among others measures”.
Earlier in her address, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuella Isopi, affirmed the EU’s readiness to deepen collaboration and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.
She lauded the positive outcomes of previous economic collaborations and expressed eagerness to advance initiatives like the Sustainable Investment Activation Agreement.
Isopi reiterated EU’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for increased investment in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Africa Working Party of the Council of the European Union, Miss. Yamina Gerfi, said, “the aim of the visit was to deepen understanding and cooperation with Nigeria and the region. She therefore highlighted the importance of engaging with diverse stakeholders to boost EU-Nigeria collaboration for the benefit of both parties”.