Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire to strenghten cooperation

Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation in the interest of the two countries and to maintain excellent bilateral relations.

This is contained in a final communiqué after Bilateral meeting between the two countries in Abidjan.

A statement issued by the Vice President Namadi Sambo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Malam Umar Sani, in Abuja said Sambo was in Cote d’Ivoire on a two-day official visit to the republic by the invitation of the Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan.

It stated that they held meetings on a broad range of bilateral as well as topical issues on Africa and the rest of the world.

It further stated that the statesmen welcomed the spirit of solidarity and relations that governed the two countries.

“They both appreciate the establishment of a joint-commission for cooperation with the holding of its first session in Abuja in August last year and affirmed their commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the recommendations of the session.

“To ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the joint commission, the two countries agreed to set up a commission in charge of implementation.’’

According to the communiqué, the two countries have agreed on the need for experience sharing in various areas including mining, energy, agriculture and manufacturing.

They also agreed to work in close cooperation in areas of oil exploration and procurement and the development of the Oil industry as well as the establishment of appropriate oil infrastructure.

They also agreed to promote synergies between their countries’ chambers of commerce and industry through a draft agreement that was to be finalised.

The communiqué said the two countries agreed to work toward the realisation of community projects including the Abidjan-Lagos highway development project.

“The vice president would return to Nigeria after attending the opening session of the International Investment Forum tagged, “Invest in Cote d’Ivoire 2014” organised by the Ivoirian government on Wednesday,’’ the statement said.