Government restates commitment to setting up trade relations with Kosovo

Government restates commitment to setting up trade relations with Kosovo

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, has issued a statement restating the Nigerian government’s commitment to opening a Trade Office in Pristina, Kosovo.

The statement was issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Mr. Damian Agwu, in Abuja, the nation’s capital, at a news briefing to mark President Goodluck Jonathan's first 100 days in office.

Reaction

Agwu said the statement was in reaction to a report by the `Nigerian Tribune' captioned “Nigerian Government makes U- turn on Trade Office in Kosovo.”

According to him, the reaction became imperative to clarify the report, which he said, misinterpreted an answer by the minister, given during the question and answer session at a news briefing.

The statement also expressed the ministry's displeasure at the  deliberate misconception of the position of the Minister on the subject and described the news story as  a “vexatious and  premeditated attempt at embarrassing the Government of Nigeria''.

Economic diplomacy

The statement also said that the decision to establish trade and commercial relations with Kosovo was in line with Nigeria's new economic diplomacy.

“The Federal Government recognises the tremendous mutual benefits that would inevitably result from the establishment of trade and commercial relations with the young and relatively prosperous East European Republic, in line with the new focus of Nigeria's new Economic Diplomacy'', Agwu said.

He added that the two countries would open Trade Offices at the earliest possible time in each other's capital city.

NAN/Chiamaka/Ekata