Closing Remarks At Second Session Of The Nigeria-Cote D’Ivoire Bi-National Commission Meeting On 06/11/2021

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CLOSING REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY. PROF YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE SECOND SESSION OF THE NIGERIA-COTE D’IVOIRE BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION MEETING IN ABIDJAN ON THE 6^TH OF NOVEMBER, 2021

PROTOCOLS

Thank you very much Prime Minister Patrick Achi for your excellent leadership in hosting and co-steering this 2nd Session of the Nigeria-Cote d’Ivoire Bi-National Commission to this successful outcome. Your opening remarks were very important for setting the tone and in ensuring that we achieved our objectives today.

I am especially grateful to His Excellency, President Alhassane Ouattara for granting me and my delegation audience earlier this afternoon and for giving both sides very insightful guidance on how we could continue to deepen the strategic and close cooperation between our two countries.

The Nigerian delegation on its part is happy with the outcomes, especially with the Agreements that we have signed on this occasion. They will certainly go a very long way in promoting the much desired and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries in accordance with the guidance given to us by both President Buhari and President Ouattara.

A Bi-National Commission like this one signals that our bilateral relations extend across the entire spectrum of political, economic, and social cooperation. I, therefore, commend the Senior Officials and Experts who have worked very hard over the past few days to ensure that we were able to conclude and sign such a good number of important Agreements.

Surely the deliberations and exchange of views at this Bi-National Commission have helped to clarify any lingering issues in various areas of cooperation. Such cordial and extensive interactions will certainly serve as a model for promoting bilateral relations will certainly serve as a model for promoting bilateral relations in the African continent.

We appreciate the positive disposition of the Ivorien side towards the negotiations and outcomes achieved today and expect that this cooperation between our governments will also extend to the private sector. It is pleasing to note in this regard, that the Ivorien authorities also share this same view.

We are agreed that it is such close and beneficial ties between the private sectors of both countries that will drive the growth, progress, and prosperity that is needed to boost trade, create jobs, and provide a decent life and livelihood for our people and indeed the entire sub-region.

I take this opportunity once again to thank President Ouattara, Prime Minister Achi, and the entire Government and people of Cote d’Ivoire for the kind courtesies and warm hospitality extended to me and my delegation.

Merci beaucoup.

It has been a pleasant meeting and we look forward to hosting the Ivorien side at the 3rd Session of the Bi-National Commission in Abuja on a mutually agreed date in 2023.

Thank you very much.