Spain To Enhance
Dialogue With Nigeria, ECOWAS
The
Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Mr. Angel Fernandez, has
restated his country's willingness to dialogue with Nigeria and
ECOWAS on socio-political and economic issues.
Mr. Fernandez said in an interview in Abuja, that the dialogue,
which would be on the EU platform, would examine the problems of
Nigeria and ECOWAS and proffer solutions to them.
’’We will discuss the problems of the sub-region, including
Nigeria, and proffer the ways forward on every aspect…This is
very important for Nigeria and ECOWAS. We have chosen Nigeria
for the political dialogue because from now on, the former
`Troika’ will no longer exist,’’ he said.
Fernandez said that the political dialogue with Nigeria would
take place at the ministerial level in March, while that with
ECOWAS would commence in June.
’’The ministers will continue further discussions in
Luxembourg or Brussels in October but it is very important
because Africa is present on the agenda of the EU and Spain,’’
Fernandez said.
Building on past relation
The envoy recalled that in 2009, the EU held a Troika
meeting of senior officials in Abuja with the objectives of
creating dialogue and exploring new ways of mutual
understanding.
EU Presidency a boost
Fernandez said that a major objective of the Spanish
Presidency of the EU was to foster economic relations, to create
new jobs and effective implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon.
He said that another objective of the new EU leadership was to
strengthen EU influence in global affairs
Spain assumed the EU presidency under the Treaty of Lisbon,
which came into effect on December 1, 2009.
The country would occupy the position for six months.
NAN/Yinka
