Abuja: Mr. David McAllister, Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), has described Nigeria as a crucial partner of the European Union (EU), emphasizing that the country “matters greatly to the bloc.”
According to News Agency of Nigeria, McAllister made the remark during an interview at a reception hosted by Mrs. Annett Gnther, the Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, in honor of a six-member delegation from the European Parliament. The delegation, consisting of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), is on a working visit to Nigeria from October 26 to October 28. During this visit, the team plans to engage with key stakeholders involved in Nigeria’s democratic process.
McAllister explained that the purpose of the visit is to gain a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s political and economic systems and to discuss the insecurity challenges affecting the country and its neighbors. “So, we are here to listen carefully and to understand better the Nigeria system,” McAllister stated. He also mentioned that upon returning to Brussels, the delegation would report to the European External Action Service and the European Commission, stressing that “Nigeria matters.”
Furthermore, McAllister highlighted the importance of economic cooperation between the EU and Nigeria, acknowledging recent improvements while expressing a desire for further collaboration. He also expressed concern over the security threats and humanitarian crisis unfolding in northern Nigeria, advocating for increased humanitarian assistance from the EU to provide hope to those in desperate need.
McAllister reiterated that Nigeria’s role as a key partner justified the visit, describing the nation as a development and economic partner and a thriving democracy. According to McAllister, the EU and Nigeria share common values and interests, making Nigeria an important partner, especially as a thriving democracy.
Speaking to NAN, MEP Marta Temido, who serves on the Sub-Committee on Human Rights and is Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Environment, stated that the visit aims to learn from and share experiences with Nigeria. She noted that Nigeria is significant to the EU, emphasizing the mission’s goal to strengthen existing cooperation through a peer-to-peer partnership with Nigeria and ECOWAS, both vital to regional development.
Temido added, “It is very important to learn from countries like Nigeria, given the many challenges it faces – from ethnic diversity to climate issues.” She also addressed the challenges posed by Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, often referred to as the “malediction of resources,” which can lead to issues with corruption and governance. Temido underscored the importance of engaging with Nigeria and ECOWAS to foster mutual understanding and learning, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to sharing and understanding globally.