President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Strasbourg, France, assured the
European Union that his administration was doing its utmost best to
protect the fundamental human rights of persons in the theatre of
operations against Boko Haram.
Addressing a special session of the parliament, President Buhari said that
his government shared the European Union’s commitment to peace and
security, respect for human rights, democracy and good governance,
equality and tolerance, as ways of developing prosperous and strong
societies.
“For our part, we have updated our rules of engagement in fighting
terrorism and pay very close attention during operations to the treatment
of captured terrorists, civilians caught up in the conflict and in
general, safeguarding property.
“Our aim is to use minimum force necessary in our fight against
terrorists,” President Buhari assured members of the parliament and the
European Union Commission.
The President also spoke of Nigeria’s concerns about the Economic
Partnership Agreement between the European Union, African, Caribbean and
Pacific Group of States (ACP), collectively endorsed by the Economic
Community of West African States.
He said that Nigeria was yet to sign the agreement because pertinent
technical issues raised by the Federal Government have not been
satisfactorily addressed.
“Giving due consideration to the mismatch of the two regions
(Europe-ECOWAS) in terms of technology and manufacturing experience, the
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Associated Trade Unions raised
concerns over the negative impact of the agreement on Nigeria’s
industrialisation programme.
“Nigeria is working towards addressing her own side of the issues and I
therefore urge our European Union partners to also address our own
concerns to allow for an Economic Partnership Agreement that is mutually
beneficial and can contribute to the prosperity of our people, in the
context of our shared values and interest at promoting cordial bilateral
trade relations,” President Buhari said.
The President also sought greater support from the European Union for
Nigeria’s efforts to curb the theft of its crude oil and corruption in its
oil and gas sector.
“Nigeria is facing the challenges of oil-theft and illegal bunkering in
the Niger Delta as well as recovery of illicit funds. In this regard,
Nigeria solicits the cooperation of the European Parliament to support the
efforts aimed at stemming these vices.
“Our attempt to restore security, curb corruption and fight crime will
result not only in improving social stability in Nigeria but will re-open
the doors for full economic relations with Europe and the rest of the
world.
“Those who wish to invest in our country have immense opportunities and we
intend to guarantee the security of people and investments brought to
Nigeria,” President Buhari said.
He assured the parliament that Nigeria will collaborate with the European
Union to address illegal migration to Europe.
Our Government is making concerted efforts to address the push-factor that
propel migration, especially from Nigeria, as both destination and transit
country.
“In this year’s budget, the Government has provided for over Five-Hundred
Thousand graduate employment in the teaching profession alone. We are
equally collaborating with the States and Local Governments, to strengthen
Skills Acquisition Centres, in order to train the teeming youth in various
vocational skills, so that they can be self-employed, and eventually,
become employers of labour.
“We are also making efforts to diversify the economy, giving impetus to
agriculture and solid minerals exploitation, to create wealth and
employments.
“Nigeria welcomes the outcome of the Valletta EU-Africa Summit on
Migration, including the launching of 1.8 billion Euros Emergency Trust
Fund to address the root causes of migration from Africa to Europe.
“Nigeria will work with the countries of the Sahel and Central Africa, to
submit to the Board of the Emergency Trust Fund, our identified projects
for funding in due course.
“The Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM), which Nigeria was the
first African country to sign on 12th March 2015, is a demonstration of
the positive spirit of our cooperation with the European Union in the
field of migration and development.
“It is in the light of this understanding that I wish to propose the
reciprocal visa waivers for holders of Nigerian Diplomatic and Official
Passports attending official Meetings and Conferences in Europe,” the
President said.