The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defence and security collaboration with the European Union (EU).
This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen by Mati Ali, the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
According to the statement, the minister made the remarks while receiving the Director of Peace, Partnership, and Crisis Management of the European External Action Service, Mr. Casmin Dirban, during a courtesy visit.
He emphasized the need for a stronger partnership, stating, “We need to work deeply on our security and defence collaboration and relationship.”
The statement noted that the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism and banditry, which continue to affect parts of the country.
Badaru called for a deliberate effort to explore more areas of collaboration between Nigeria and the EU in defence and security.
In response, Mr. Dirban reaffirmed the existing bilateral cooperation and expressed the EU’s interest in expanding its partnership with Nigeria. He was accompanied by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot.