The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to further strengthen its bilateral relations Saudi Arabia.
The country’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, stated this at the opening ceremony of the Second Session of the Nigeria-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
Ambassador Dada stated that the collective endeavours of the two countries would positively impact on Nigeria-Saudi relations with a view to raising them to a strategic level.
He explained that by hosting the 2nd Session of the Joint Commission in Nigeria shows the importance the country attaches to her relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ambassador Dada said this also demonstrates Nigeria’s strong and unwavering commitment to further boost and elevate the existing historical ties binding the two countries to a new height.
“The two friendly countries signed the General Agreement for Cooperation between them on October 20, 2003, in order to promote mutually beneficial cooperation for both parties, and this birthed the establishment of the Nigeria-Saudi Joint Commission.
“We thank the Kingdom for hosting the First Session of the Commission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 11th -12th March 2013.
“The 2nd Session which was supposed to have been held two years later could not take place until now due to a number of reasons, including the recent pandemic”.
“It can further be recalled that during the First Session, a number of MoUs and Agreements covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation were signed by the two sides.
“We hereby also affirm our determination to ensure that these relations are transformed into a win-win partnership for our mutual benefits. I further wish to assure you, Honourable Deputy Minister and esteemed members of your delegation, of our full commitment to cooperate with you throughout this meeting to ensure that the second Session of the Joint Commission is successful,” the Minister said.
He appreciated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the successful conduct of the 2022 Hajj operation, the first after the Covid-19 pandemic and the far reaching socio-economic transformation currently taking place in the Kingdom under Vision 2030.
Committed to Bilateral Goal
Mr. Zubairu assured the country delegation that Nigeria was committed to the bilateral goal in order to foster an all-round development.
“Let me state that Nigeria is similarly pursuing a number of reforms aimed at liberalizing and digitalizing the economy as well as creating more opportunities for our women and teeming youth aimed at paving the way for a more sustainable future. We believe that our collective endeavours would positively impact on Nigeria-Saudi relations with a view to raising them to a strategic level.
“It is pertinent to recall that our two friendly countries signed the General Agreement for Cooperation between them on the 20th October, 2003 in order to promote mutually beneficial cooperation for both parties. This birthed the establishment of the Nigeria-Saudi Joint Commission.
“We thank the Kingdom for hosting the First Session of the Commission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 11th -12th March, 2013. The 2nd Session which was supposed to have been held two years later could not take place until now due to a number of reasons, including the recent pandemic. It can further be recalled that during the First Session, a number of MoUs and Agreements covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation were signed by the two sides,” Zubairu said.
Historic Ties
He stated that by hosting the 2nd Session of the Joint Commission, Nigeria which attaches great importance to her relations with the Kingdom, was demonstrating her strong and unwavering commitment to further boost and elevate the existing historical ties binding the two countries to a new height.
He expressed a firm belief that the two countries and people are eager for the Session to produce the desired positive outcome which would bring a new era in Nigeria-Saudi cooperation as they also create the necessary mechanism for the implementation of these agreed frameworks with minimum delay.
The Saudi-Arabian Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, and Agriculture, Ahmad Al-Khamshi, said his country places great importance on the General Agreement on Cooperation signed between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in 2003.
He saif the meetings of the Saudi-Nigerian Joint Committee, constitutes the effective tool in implementing the agreement and laying the specific foundations for enhancing economic, commercial, investment, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
He further stated that emphasis must be given to activate the work of both the agreement and the joint committee through the development of effective mechanisms and programmes to implement what emanates from the meetings of the Committee, and to continuously review and follow-up through dialogue, consultation and communication between the competent authorities in both countries to implement it.
“This Meeting represents a practical approach in the path set for enhancing cooperation between our two countries, as there are many promising opportunities for cooperation in several fields, including trade, investment and technology. Among these opportunities was the G20 Financing for Sustainable Development Initiative to which was launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during its G20 presidency. Saudi Arabia and Nigeria teams are working on this matter.
“I also highlight the great importance of the role of the private sector in implementing economic cooperation projects related to trade and investment exchange. For this reason, we give priority to the leading participation of the private sector in both countries. We hope that this sector will have the appropriate and stimulating atmosphere for its effective participation in translating the available economic opportunities into practical projects of benefit to our two countries,” Ahmad Al-Khamshi said.
The 2nd Session of Nigeria – Saudi Arabia Joint Commission which started on Monday, is scheduled to hold for three days, is expected to end by Wednesday.
Confidence Okwuchi
