Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced that he will travel to Nigeria, Austria and France from October 8 to 12, 2012.
Baird will begin his trip in Abuja, Nigeria, and will meet with his Nigerian counterpart, Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, during the inaugural meeting of the Canada-Nigeria Binational Commission. They will discuss cooperation on political, economic, security and development matters. Baird will also meet with members of Nigerian civil society.
“Nigeria and Canada have a relationship that is rife with opportunity when it comes to economic, social and security cooperation,” said Baird. “We know that security and prosperity go hand in hand and will discuss ways to expand both.”
In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, Baird will meet with representatives of the Nigerian business community and Canadian businesses working in Nigeria to discuss opportunities to create jobs and growth in both countries.