EU Reaffirms Support For Tinubu's Plans On Development

President Bola Tinubu

The European Union (EU) reaffirmed its unwavering support for the development policies and initiatives of President Bola Tinubu's administration in Abuja on Friday.

Rita Laranjinha, the managing director of the union's external action service, revealed the support when she briefed Vice President Kashim Shettima on the upcoming ministerial dialogue, which is set for October 19, according to NAN.

Rits revealed that she was in the nation before the Ministerial Dialogue with Nigerian officials and promised that EU would continue to seek further areas of engagement.

"This Ministerial Dialogue will be chaired by the Vice President of the EU Mission.

"He will be here to hold meetings with members of the Nigerian government to take stock of the relations between the EU and Nigeria in different areas and to prepare the way forward in this relationship.

"Today, it was very clear that there is a lot of common interest in the relationship but there is still a lot more to do.

"Nigeria matters in the region, continent and the world, and the EU wants to make sure that we will be a partner of choice for Nigeria."

The EU mission was determined to collaborating closely with Nigeria in the various fields of trade, investments, energy, digitalization, peace, and security issues, she said after thanking the vice president for his assistance.

Shettima emphasized Nigeria's commitment to continue being receptive to effective interventions as he welcomed the team to the Presidential Villa.

President Tinubu's foreign policy direction continues to place the highest priority on partnerships that benefit both parties, he noted.

He insisted that despite the difficulties it is currently facing, the Tinubu administration is still a breath of new air.

"We are really out to reposition this country. God has blessed this nation. We have not utilised half of our arable and fertile land, as well as our bountiful human resources.

"We are ready to partner with the EU in the execution of mutually- beneficial projects and programmes to the benefit of Nigerians."

Shettima called on the EU to work with the Tinubu administration to create jobs in the digital sector after expressing concern about migration-related issues.

The eight-point program of the Tinubu administration nicely complements the EU agenda, he continued.