Dutch Ministers Visit Nigeria in Effort to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Two ministers from the Kingdom of the Netherlands landed in Nigeria yesterday in both countries’ bid to strengthen bilateral relations between them.
A statement from the Dutch embassy in Nigeria said the visit was a testament to the enduring ties between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It named the visitors as the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Mr. Geoffrey van Leeuwen, alongside the Minister for Migration, Mr. Eric van der Burg.
According to the statement, during the two-day visit, discussions will focus on the cooperation between Nigeria in the field of politics, economics and migration as well as consular activities.
It noted that the highlight of the visit will be the extension of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in which the countries agree to further deepen engagement, notably in the aforementioned fields.
The signing of the MoU, it said, marks a significant milestone in the relations between the two countries.
The Dutch embassy added that in Abuja, the ministers will engage in meetings with Nigerian ministers, government officials, heads of parastatals, partner organisations and the embassy’s youth advisory committee to deliberate on a myriad of topics and learn even more about Nigeria from different segments of the population.
“With the signing of the MoU’s renewal, we are eager to further enhance and expand upon our already excellent relationship. We look forward to deepen our collaboration in the fields of politics, economics and migration,” the statement quoted Van Leeuwen as saying.
The embassy explained that the visit symbolises not only diplomatic ties between both countries, but also the collective resolve to navigate challenges and leverage opportunities for positive impact globally.
In addition to the signing of the bilateral MoU, another highlight of the visit, it said, is the strengthening of the migration partnership, a significant element of the relations between the two countries.
The ministers, according to the release, will engage in comprehensive discussions with various stakeholders and youth representatives during their visit.
“These dialogues aim to provide a platform for robust conversations, reflecting the commitment to inclusivity and the perspectives of the younger generation whose input in policy continue to be a focus in the Netherlands as expounded in its youth-at-heart strategy.
“In Nigeria, where the majority of the population is under 30 years old, the Netherlands considers youth engagement of particular importance,” it added.
Besides, the embassy said the visit will also extend to the economic hub of Nigeria, Lagos, where the ministers will deliberate on various facets of the Netherlands-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation, as well as the migration partnership.
“The economic and trade cooperation is vast and spans various fields, including agriculture, IT, circular economy, healthcare and renewable energy. Various meetings will further solidify our expanding cooperation and explore new avenues for mutual benefit.
“This visit underscores the shared commitment of the Netherlands and Nigeria to fostering positive impact and a prosperous future,” the statement concluded.
