Plans have been concluded for the inauguration of the Nigeria-Germany Bi-National Commission (BNC )? in Abuja, Nigeria's capital on Nov. 2, sources at the Ministry of foreign affairs told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Berlin.
NAN gathered that the Commission,? a joint initiative of the Nigeria's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Ashiru, and his
German counterpart Mr Guido Westerwelle, was established on Dec. 2, 2011 in Berlin.
The commission is to lay the foundation for a stronger and expanded Cooporation between the two countries.
The German Foreign Ministry announced that Guido Westerwelle is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Nov. 2,for the event, adding that the Binational Commission was an imperative given the fact that Nigeria was an important diplomatic and economic and trade partner to Germany.
“German considers Nigeria as a major player in the international community and a country that is striving to fulfils its responsibility in the drive to ensure democracy, peace and security in Africa.
NAN also reports that the commission is aimed at promoting sustained bilateral relationships between the two countries by ensuring dialogue and increased cooporation in diplomatic, economic, security and other areas of mutual interest.
The commission will focus on four major areas namely, Power and Energy, Economic Relations, Political Consultations,
Education, Migration and Cultural matters.
NAN recalls that as part of the efforts to promote the Binational commission initiative, the Nigeria and Germany held an initial meeting on April 19, 2012, in Berlin, when President Goodluck Jonathan paid a three-day visit to Berlin.
Issues discussed during preliminary meeting of the commission during president’s visit included energy, business, security and migration.
It was also during this visit that the German energy giant Siemens led by the? CEO of the company, Michael Suess signed an agreement with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Power led by the former Minister of power, Prof. Barth Nnaji with the aim of strengthening strategic partnership between German investors and business concerns and their Nigerian counterparts.
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