Published By Olukayode Idowu
The Federal Government has called for increased bilateral relations, especially in economic ties, with the Hellenic Republic of Greece.
The call was made on the heels of Greece announcing a donation of almost one million COVID-19 vaccines to the country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, made the call on Monday in Abuja when he received in audience, his counterpart from Greece, Nikos Dendias.
Onyeama, while speaking during the visit, said he was surprised to learn that the visit was the first by any Greek Foreign Minister to Nigeria.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the Greek Foreign Minister for deeming it fit to move towards improving the relations of his country with Nigeria.
He added that Greece and Nigeria, have a strong history going back over a century, with Greek traders that were in Nigeria who made huge impact to the economy and relations of both countries.
He said many Nigerians grew up knowing about Greek businesses in the country, noting that both countries have a very strong basis to build on the existing bond between them and to re-invigorate the relationship.
He however added that in the 21st century, faced with new challenges, Nigeria seeks to diversify her economy to industrialized the country, and looks up to new partners for assistance.
He said: “As we seek to diversify our economy to attract more investments, make our country more investor friendly, we see Greece as a country that can provide a win-win trade relationship and cultural relationship between our two countries.”
He informed the visiting Minister that infrastructure was an area that President Muhammadu Buhari has prioritized, and revealed that the existing good relations with Greece in the training and exchange of military personnel has benefitted some Nigerian military officials.
He however said there were so many other areas such as agriculture and heavy industries where both countries can cooperate.
In his remarks, Dendias said the visit was symbolic, wandering why it took so long to witness the visit of a Greek Foreign Minister in Nigeria.
He also said Greece considered Nigeria as a neighbour because Greece see the Mediterranean Sea not as a dividing border, but as a connecting bridge.
He said: “We very well appreciate that Africa is the fastest growing economy in the world, Nigeria is the biggest economy in sub-Saharan Africa. You are the biggest country in Africa.
“We are not that big, we are a proud member of the European Union and we see ourselves as being able to facilitate communication between Europe, when we stand on the southern border and Africa, and Nigeria.”