Jonathan Commends Germany’s Support To Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday expressed appreciation to Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany for the country’s cooperation and support to Nigeria’s efforts at transforming its economy and improving the lives of its citizens.

Jonathan gave the commendation when he received the visiting Germany Foreign Minister, Dr Guido Westerwelle, who is in Nigeria for the Nigeria-Germany Bi-National Commission meeting, at State House, Abuja.

“We appreciate the German Chancellor’s efforts towards strengthening relations with Nigeria in many areas, especially the improvement of energy supply,” he said.

Responding to Westerwelle’s request for information about the situation in Mali, Jonathan said his interactions with a cross section of Malians during his recent visit to the country showed a desire for peace and a commitment to remove the rebels from the North.

He said ECOWAS was committed to restoring peace and normalcy to Mali and sought the support of Germany and the European Union in restoring peace to the country.

“We must take action to root out the Al-Qaeda, drug traffickers, kidnappers and other criminal elements who are turning Northern Mali into a home for terrorists.”

The president also said Nigeria’s contribution to Mali would include technical support to the Malian military.

Earlier, Westerwelle had said that Germany admired the success being achieved by President Jonathan in building Nigeria into “a power-house’’.

“Nigeria is becoming one of the new centres of power, especially considering the increasing responsibilities you are shouldering in West Africa and the continent,” he said.

Westerwelle said Germany was interested in the destiny of the sub-region, and was willing to help restore peace and normalcy to Mali.

The foreign minister is in Nigeria at the head of the country’s delegation to the meeting of the Nigeria-Germany Bi-National Commission.