By Ayo Yusuf
The federal government, FG, has pledged to strengthen bilateral relationships with the European Union, EU, for mutually beneficial reasons.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, said this at the EU-Nigeria strategic dialogue meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Senator Bagudu said it was providential that the dialogue was happening at the beginning of the current administration in the country noting how it will lead to proper articulation and consolidation of priorities in the partnership.
According to him, “The current challenges in our sub-regions and the world at large are at the same time fraught with opportunities to make a difference for humanity if we all come to dialogue with honesty of purpose.
“Now, more than ever, a more coordinated response is necessary to assist us in adapting to proven systems for sustainable development and effective integration of our economy into the global system.”
The minister noted that within the framework of the Nigerian National Development Plan (NDP) 2021–2025 and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Tinubu, was a commitment to focus investments to propel Nigeria to lasting security, sustainable stability, and shared prosperity.
He said these focused investments were expected to harness the potential of Nigerians for productivity, economic growth, and development.
His words: “Being our closest continental neighbour with advanced political systems and economic prosperity, it is in our mutual interest for Europe to support our efforts in harnessing demographic dividends.
“In this vein, the array of topics for discussion today is expected to highlight opportunities and initiatives for knowledge transfers and technical assistance, especially in the digital sector, for the elaboration of legal frameworks.
“Investments for expansion of local capacities and job creation.
Collaboration on environment, climate change, circular economy, climate-smart agriculture, and biodiversity, including options for harnessing the abundant gas reserves in our country, better management of migration flows, and fiscal sustainability.”
The minister added that the meeting would also discuss curbing terrorism, banditry, oil theft, illegal fishing, and piracy, among other security issues in the North/Lake Chad, the Niger Delta, and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
Senator Bagudu said the dialogue would also look into addressing the challenges to food security and the global humanitarian issues arising from the Russian-Ukraine crisis and the Middle East, among others.
In response, the EU Commissioner of International Partnership, Miss Juffa Urpilainen, reinstated their support for the country.
She said they had been participating in the country’s development, and the EU had the country’s best interests.
