On the Official Visit of Mr.Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, to Nigeria

09-09-2014

On September 8-9, 2014 the Belarusian delegation headed by Mr.Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, paid an official visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The delegation included the representatives of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, OJSC “Minsk Automobile Plant”, OJSC “Minsk Tractor Works” and other Belarusian enterprises.

This was the first visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus to Nigeria in the history of bilateral relations.



Within the framework of the visit the Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry was received by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mr.Goodluck Jonathan. During the meeting the sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations in the political, economic, military-technical and other fields.



Mr.Vladimir Makei passed along the personal message from the President of the Republic of Belarus Mr.Alexander Lukashenko to the President of Nigeria. The message confirmed the invitation to the Nigerian Leader to visit Belarus.



During the negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria Mr.Aminu Wali the sides reviewed the wide range of issues of mutual interest and brought into line approaches on a number of the topical issues on the international agenda. The parties reached an agreement on the further development of cooperation between the two countries in all areas in order to upgrade Belarus-Nigeria cooperation to the level of strategic partnership, and made a decision on prompt review of draft agreements on trade and economic cooperation and the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments.



Mr.Vladimir Makei explained in detail to the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria the plans of Belarus to build assembly plants of Belarusian tractors, agricultural and automotive vehicles in Nigeria.



At the meeting with the National Security Advisor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mr.Muhammed Dasuki the sides discussed the current state and the further development of the Belarus-Nigeria relations in the military-technical sphere. The parties stated that one of the most dangerous global challenges on today’s international agenda was the struggle against the international terrorism, and reached the agreement to closer cooperate on this issue in the bilateral framework, as well as in multilateral format.

With the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment of Nigeria Mr. Olusegun Aganga the sides discussed the partnership in the industrial cooperation and the increase of trade between the countries.



During the visit Mr.Vladimir Makei held a “round table” with the representatives of the authorized dealers of the Belarusian enterprises in Nigeria and the Nigerian business community. The parties discussed the prospects of the further development of trade and economic relations between the two countries, including specific bilateral projects, as well as some hindrances for the Belarusian exports to Nigeria.



During the “round table” the sides signed the agreement on cooperation between the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and the Nigerian Association of Commerce and Industry, mining and agricultural chambers. The agreement provides for more active schedule of mutual visits of business community, finding trade partners, exchange of commercial offers.
Also the sides signed a number of records of intentions of increasing in the supply of Belarusian products to Nigeria.

During the visit Mr.Vladimir Makei handed over Patents to newly appointed Honorary Consuls of Belarus in Nigeria.



The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus held a press conference for the leading Nigerian media.

print version