The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Monday reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Italy.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed this in a statement issued by Dr Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The minister made this known against backdrop of her meeting with Amb. Roberto Mengoni, Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, during the latter’s courtesy visit in her office.
She stressed that Italy remained a strategic partner for Nigeria in Europe with bilateral ties reinforced by high-level visits
According to her, in spite the not less than six decades diplomatic ties with Italy, Nigeria does not have a bi-national commission with the country, calling for one.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “Such engagements have continued to underscore the shared interests of both nations in sustainable development, food security, and economic cooperation.
“The strategic nature of this relationship is further evidenced by ongoing diplomatic consultations that address global challenges, including climate change, irregular migration, and regional security concerns.”
She underscored the need for sustenance of joint dedication towards combating illegal migration, human trafficking, and transnational crime by both countries while inviting deeper Italian engagement in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.
Particularly, in sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure, while calling for Italy’s technical support in Nigeria’s industrialization efforts.
She also highlighted the importance of ease of mobility, as a catalyst for trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange between the two counties.
Also that improving the efficiency of Visa issuance and processing will not only reduce delays, and frustrations for applicants, but directly support economic cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
The minister called for establishment of efficient trade facilitation mechanisms that would enable Nigerian agricultural and manufactured products reach the Italian market directly, reducing transit costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and enhancing market competitiveness.
She further identified migration as a challenge and an opportunity in Nigeria-Italy relations, as both countries worked to address irregular migration while facilitating legal pathways for movement.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained the bilateral cooperation to have surpassed repatriation agreements, voluntary return programmes, and reintegration support for Nigerian nationals returning from Italy.
This, according to her, the joint initiatives tackling human trafficking networks that operate between both countries focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
She mentioned that the two nations had developed programmes to create economic opportunities in Nigeria that might reduce migration pressures, including vocational training and small business development projects in regions with high migration rates.
“With huge demography of young people, we are concerned about the safety of our young people. So, we are concerned about ways and means of combating irregular migration, especially as Italy is leading destination for Nigerian migrants.
“We are looking at youth restiveness and initiatives in managing migration; looking at youth-focused initiatives that could give skills to the youths, create jobs and keep them busy.
“We are appealing for assistance in dealing with online radicalization of our society; in building capacity to combat violent extremism,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu quoted Mengoni to have said his country looked forward to improving its bilateral relations with Nigeria, based on their policy strategy for building stronger cooperation and businesses with Africa.
The ambassador, who arrived Nigeria recently, expressed his determination to ensure Italy maximised the strategic place of Nigeria in the continent to the mutual benefit of both countries.
“We now have the momentum to talk with Nigeria and enhance cooperation between the two countries. We are not the kind of country that would want to impose things on an African country,” the envoy assured. (NAN)