Minister Of Budget and Economic Planning Welcomes EU Delegation, Fostering Cooperation and Understanding

Minister Of Budget and Economic Planning Welcomes EU Delegation, Fostering Cooperation and Understanding

In a significant diplomatic development, the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON, welcomed a delegation from the Working Group of the European Union Council on Africa (COAFR) at his office in Abuja. Led by the Council’s Chair, Ms Yamina Guerfi, the delegation’s visit aimed to deepen their understanding of Nigeria and the region, fostering increased cooperation with various stakeholders.

Ambassador Richard Young, Head of the West Africa Division, European External Action Service (EEAS), highlighted critical issues, including the importance of enhancing investment, research, and innovation. The discussions extended to the intersection between research bodies in Nigeria and Europe, emphasizing versatile collaboration across domains such as peace, security, development, migration, and humanitarian challenges.

Expressing satisfaction at the flourishing EU-Nigeria relationship, Minister Bagudu extended a warm welcome, underlining shared global values. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and shared responsibilities in areas like climate, migration, and sustainable development.

Gratitude was conveyed for ongoing EU support, emphasizing immense potential for collaboration. Minister Bagudu highlighted Nigeria’s infrastructure gap, signaling vast prospects for European private sector investment in areas such as irrigation, transport, green energy, and consumer credit.