United Kingdom-Nigeria - The first British minister to meet with a Nigerian President in about five years met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with Jonathan welcoming the commitment of the United Kingdom to a reinvigoration of bilateral relations with Nigeria. President Jonathan told Hon. Andrew Mitchell, British Secretary of State for International Development, that this first visit in nearly five years was a welcome sign that relations were going to be reinvigorated. The President added that “Nigeria is pleased at the commitment to improve relations, especially economic and trade relations.'

He recalled Nigeria’s historic relationship with Britain, as well as its key role in Africa and reassured Mitchell of the administration’s total commitment to improving the economy, in order to raise the living standards of citizens.

The President expressed appreciation for Britain’s promise to support Nigeria’s efforts at economic development and security sector reform, urging that access to European markets would make a great difference.

Earlier, Mitchell said the United Kingdom wanted to reinvigorate relations with Nigeria through stronger economic cooperation and support for better basic services and security sector reform.

He said his visit was the first to Nigeria by a cabinet minister in almost five years, indicating a desire to restore and reinvigorate the relations between both countries.

Pana 25/06/2011