Aisha Umar
2 July 2009
Abuja — The European Union (EU) has offered 80,000 Euros to support local governments in the Niger Delta region, acting head of Delegation of European Commission to Nigeria Dr. Denis Thieulin has said.
He said EU is offering such amount because local governments are important in that area and to support efforts by Federal Government to restore peace in the area.
In a press Briefing at the occasion of the inauguration of Swedish presidency of the EU, adding that for each project there would be specific focus on that area, like when we are financing streets project, we will focus on them or when we want to support competitiveness non-oil sector.
He said it is important for Niger Delta to resume desertification of the region and stop relying on oil economy only. "We plan to start dialogue on energy between EU and Nigeria, specific dialogue on energy was the outcome of the just concluded Nigeria-EU Ministerial Troika meeting, held in Prague".
He added EU will also assist Nigeria in climate change and migration is also under dialogue with Nigeria authorities.
In his remarks Swedish ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Per Lindgarde stated that the EU is an ambitious global actor. Africa is at the centre stage of EU and Swedish foreign action, and Nigeria is regional power and key African partner to EU. We look forward to cooperate closely with Nigeria, not least to reach a new global climate agreement at the Copenhagen conference in December".
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