Nigeria, Russia to renegotiate 1967 bilateral air providers pact

Nigeria and Russia have agreed to renegotiate their Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), which dates again to 1967, to mirror up to date developments and rising alternatives in worldwide aviation.

The settlement was reached throughout a high-level bilateral assembly between the 2 international locations on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Russia.

Nigeria’s delegation was led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, in a press release on Friday mentioned the proposed assessment would strengthen aviation relations and broaden cooperation within the air transport sector.

According to the assertion, the Nigerian delegation held discussions with the State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Stanislavovich Zverev, on the necessity to modernise the prevailing framework governing air providers between each international locations.

He mentioned each international locations had agreed on a six-month timeline to conclude negotiations and signal a brand new settlement in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in April 2027.

Moshood mentioned to facilitate the method, the 2 international locations had constituted their respective negotiating groups, which had been anticipated to begin work instantly to make sure that the agreed timeline is met.

He mentioned the revised settlement was anticipated to offer an up to date framework for bilateral air transport relations, enhance connectivity and create alternatives for nearer institutional collaboration and mutually helpful engagements between the aviation sectors of each international locations.

He mentioned past the assessment of the prevailing air providers settlement, the assembly additionally explored different potential areas of cooperation between Nigeria and Russia.

Moshood mentioned each events expressed their dedication to inspecting these alternatives within the coming months, with a view to deepening bilateral relations and figuring out areas of shared curiosity in aviation and associated sectors.