Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel labelled Tuesday's talks with his Nigerian counterpart Ojo Maduekwe as a chance to open new horizons between the two countries. Ties between the countries are poorly developed and the ministers agreed to strive to bolster them, Rupel told the press in Ljubljana.
The meeting was intended to allow the countries to get to know each other, Rupel said and added he had invited his Nigerian opposite number for an official visit to Slovenia. It would be right that "Slovenia develops better relations with the biggest and most important African country," Rupel added.
Talks at the Foreign Ministry focused on today's meeting of the EU-Nigeria troika at the Brdo pri Kranju estate. While the Slovenian delegation presented the priorities of the country's stint at the helm of the EU, their Nigerian colleagues unveiled their views of the current events in Africa.
"The most important thing is that we had developed a very open, productive and friendly dialogue, which can help both countries. We can rely on the data and assessments that we are getting from our Nigerian friends and we can acquaint them with the situation in Europe," said the Slovenian foreign minister.
He underlined that it was very important for the EU to have in Nigeria an ally and partner in facing global and African problems. The EU is trying to be constructive and help its friends in Africa and Nigeria's advice is very precious in that.
Maduekwe told the press he wanted African countries to take the responsibility for solving their own problems and conflicts and be given more trust by the international community in doing so. He added that they welcomed any logistical and other EU aid that would boost their capacities for tackling their issues.
Nigeria is concerned and ready to take the responsibility for solving conflicts which are arising in places like Sudan, Chad and Zimbabwe. It had already proven so by taking part in numerous peacekeeping missions, Maduekwe told the press.
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