Nigeria and the European Union – Joint Way Forward

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Nigeria and the European Union have taken another step in the "Nigeria-E U Joint Way Forward" - a strategy to boost relations between these longstanding partners. At the Senior Officials’ Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria and the EU recognized the progress being made on electoral reform and the need for urgent preparations to ensure free and fair elections in 2011. They welcomed the progress so far made in the Amnesty programme in the Niger Delta and also underscored the need to increase the momentum of the process. The Parties commended Nigeria's leading role in the ECOWAS region and agreed to deepen cooperation in the area of migration and development.

Senior Officials from Nigeria and the EU met on 29th June 2010 in Abuja in the framework of their strategy known as the "Joint Way Forward" to discuss key matters of common interest and concern including: peace and security, good governance and human rights, economic development including regional integration, energy, environment and climate change, migration and development cooperation. The main conclusions of the dialogue were as follows:

Recognition that Nigeria has recently completed political transition according to constitutional and democratic principles. It was also recognized that there is the need to sustain the gains of democracy; particularly by ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2011 and that the ongoing Constitutional review is an important contribution in this respect. A major step has been taken in the appointment of a new INEC Chairman. INEC should contribute to preparing an environment which will be conducive for voters to freely exercise their options at the polls. Nigeria and the EU recognize that key actions need to be implemented as a matter of urgency. These include the need for a plan and independent budget for INEC to prepare for the elections, an updated and full voter registration, the announcement and display of the results at each polling station as well as transparent consolidation of the results, and adequate security arrangements to ensure credible and successful election.

Noting that the amnesty process in the Niger Delta has remained on course and should be sustained, the EU encourages Nigeria in the swift implementation of the Post Amnesty disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) Programme and the Niger Delta Development Framework. The EU is ready to assist the DDRR process and sustainable development in the Niger Delta through its cooperation programmes.

While condemning the violence which erupted in the Middle Belt, Nigeria and the EU recognize the need to promote peace and harmony through dialogue between various ethnic communities. In this respect, the importance of conducting proper investigations and of fighting impunity in all areas of governance, including corruption, was discussed. Both sides also recognized the need to address the root causes of the problems to ensure a durable solution.

The Parties have stepped up their dialogue on Human Rights since the last Senior Officials' Meeting. The EU encourages Nigeria to take steps to establish a formal moratorium on the death penalty with a view to considering its abolition for all crimes. Both Parties also noted other important issues such as torture, extrajudicial killing, children and women's rights with a view to strengthening their cooperation in these areas.

Nigeria and the EU reaffirmed their commitment and expressed satisfaction with on going dialogue on Migration and Development. In this respect issues such as remittances, Diaspora, regular and irregular migration should be addressed. The next Migration and Development meeting will be held before the next EU Nigeria Ministerial meeting.

The Government of Nigeria presented its efforts to boost economic growth and development through the adoption of the Vision 20:2020. In this context, the EU indicated support for Nigeria's efforts to diversify the economy, notably through the Economic Partnership Agreement and the EPA Development programme (PAPED), and through EU support for trade, regional integration and the competitiveness of non oil sectors.

The EU is encouraged by Nigeria's drive to improve the power sector. This initiative goes in line with the EU Africa joint Energy Partnership for improving Africa's energy security which is recognized as a matter of common interest. The possibilities for the EU to contribute to this endeavor were discussed. Both sides agreed that a technical Mission should take place to enhance cooperation on energy.

It was recognized that Nigeria is among the African countries most vulnerable to suffer the adverse effects of climate change and thus stands to gain from adaptation measures and embarking on a low carbon development path. Nigeria and the EU have subscribed to the Copenhagen Accord and are ready to maintain the momentum ahead of the next meeting in Cancun. Both sides expressed concern at the continuing high level of gas flaring and steps should be taken to redress the situation.

Nigeria continues to play a leading role in the promotion of peace, conflict resolution and democracy in the region. There was agreement for the EU and Nigeria to sustain their political and financial engagement and to support restoration of democracy in Niger, Guinea—Conakry and Guinea-Bissau, and to step up the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime. In particular the EU acknowledged the importance of the enhanced role of Nigeria in the West Africa region.

The EU encourages Nigeria, as ECOWAS Chair, to support the efforts of EU to develop a comprehensive approach focusing on security and development in the Sahel. The activities of Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea Commission on issues related to security and development in the Gulf of Guinea were discussed. ln view of the third EU Africa Summit, the EU encourages Nigeria to exercise its influence on the African continent to implement the Joint EU Africa Strategy.

The Parties exchanged views on the need to ensure swift implementation of the 10th European Development Fund on the basis of the lessons learnt from the implementation of the 9th EDF. They also agreed to address areas of common concern and interest according to the Nigeria EU Joint Way forward and the Country Strategy Paper.