FG, EU to strengthen bilateral relationships for sustainable devt

By Palma Ileye

Federal Government through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has said it will strengthen bilateral relationships with the European Union, EU, for sustainable development.

Giving his welcome remarks, yesterday at the European Union, EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue held at the Banquet Hall, State House in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said that the meeting with the High-Level Delegation from Brussels, the capital of Europe was long overdue.

He enthused that the Dialogue was happening at the take-off of the current Administration in Nigeria, for proper articulation and consolidation of priorities in our partnership.

He said, “Our partnership has come a long way on many fronts, namely: collaboration on energy security, regional peace and security, migration management, trade and regional integration, environmental stability and climate change, humanitarian emergencies and crisis management to mention a few.”

He stated that the EU-Nigeria Development Cooperation was one of the most vibrant development partnerships in terms of the volume, thematic interventions, modalities and geographical spread in deployment of cooperation resources.

He stated that a recent survey showed that over 5,200 communities benefitted from various water, sanitation, energy, education, health and other micro project interventions over the course of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP States, from the year 2000 – 2020.

He pointed out that the current challenges in the sub-regions and the world at large were at the same time fraught with opportunities to make a difference on humanity saying that, “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.”

He explained that within the Framework of the Nigerian National Development Plan, NDP, 2021-2025 and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the single most important commitment that will propel Nigeria to lasting security, sustainable stability and shared prosperity was the focus investments that will harness the potentials of the citizenry for productivity, economic growth and development.

“Being our closest continental neighbor with advanced political systems, economic prosperity and social cohesion, 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 elaboration of legal frameworks, as well as, investments for expansion of local capacities and jobs creation.

“Collaboration on environment, climate change, circular economy, climate-smart agriculture and biodiversity including options in harnessing the abundant gas reserves in our country; Better management of migration flows.

“Fiscal Sustainability; Curtailing terrorism, banditry, oil theft, illegal fishery, piracy, among other security issues in the North/Lake Chad, the Niger-Delta and Gulf of Guinea, GoG; and Addressing the challenges to food security and the global humanitarian Issues arising from the Russian-Ukraine crisis and middle east; among others.”

Furthermore he stated that the meeting will dovetail into signing of Financing Agreements in some of the key areas of cooperation urging that, “All hands must be on deck to follow-up for better outcomes, thereafter.”

He added that the meeting was a demonstration of the country’s shared commitments for achievement of the mutual objectives of partnership and multilateralism in these challenging times.

Also, 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.