The European Union has expressed its willingness to partner Nigeria on counter-terrorism in the wake of the current security challenges confronting the country.
The Danish Foreign Minister, Mr. Villy Soevndal, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the 3rd Nigeria-European Union Ministerial meeting.
Soevndal, who led the EU delegation, said the security situation was an impediment to national development and assured of EU’s technical assistance to tackle terrorism.
A joint communiqué signed by Soevndal and his Nigerian counterpart, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, re-emphasized that the partnership would boost cooperation.?
It stated that the partnership would include support for regional and national strategies within the framework of EU’s strategy for security and development in the Sahel Region.
To check attacks by the Boko Haram sect, the parties agreed to engage experts with a view to identifying possible action plan to enhance their cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism.
?They also agreed to strengthen their efforts in addressing the root causes of the security challenges in the North.
The communiqué also stressed the need for continued efforts to fully implement the amnesty programme in order to consolidate peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.
The parties commended ECOWAS for promoting peace and security in the West African sub region, while the EU pledged to partner the bloc in addressing the security and developmental challenges in the region.
Other issues discussed included the need to further promote trade and investment between Nigeria and the EU as well as commitment to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.
The Nigeria-EU partnership has the mandate to promote democracy, good governance, human rights and migration.
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