EU deepens ties with Nigeria as Commissioner Brunner meets key officers

The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Mr Magnus Brunner, Thursday in Abuja, met key members of the Nigerian authorities because the European Union (EU) continues to strengthen its engagement with one in every of its key companions in Africa.

Commissioner Brunner met with NMinister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.

An announcement by the EU mission in Abuja mentioned its longstanding partnership with Nigeria on migration is now stronger following the signing of the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement, including that it has translated into bilateral efforts to strengthen cooperation on migration administration.

According to the Commission,  the partnership has already registered important enhancements in earlier years, notably by way of cooperation between Nigeria and EU businesses, together with Europol, Eurojust and Frontex.

“Likewise, the EU has just lately allotted €66 million to fund new migration-related initiatives.

“Our partnership on safety has been steadily growing in measurement and scope, with the EU just lately allocating €26 million to fund safety actions, together with countering the proliferation of small arms and drug trafficking.

“In parallel, the EU has recently adopted its first-ever bilateral assistance measure to Nigeria under the European Peace Facility, in the amount of €20 million to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts,” the assertion mentioned.

The EU and Nigeria are longstanding companions who share a resolute dedication to multilateralism and a rules-based order.

Nigeria’s central position in West Africa and the broader area makes it a key associate for the EU on regional financial cooperation, safety, migration and commerce.

Commissioner Brunner’s go to gives a possibility to take inventory of this complete partnership, advance cooperation on shared priorities, and put together the bottom for engagement between the EU and Nigeria in areas past migration and safety.

“Nigeria is a key partner for Europe, and our ties are steadily growing stronger. Together we are turning dialogue into action: more security, better migration management, joining forces to bring results. We are turning the huge potential of our partnership into mutual benefit”, Commissioner Brunner mentioned.