ON THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AMBASSADOR OLUGBENGA ASHIRU, MFR, JULY 14 – 16, 2013
On the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Antonio De Aguierpatriota, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru visited Brazil from July 14 – 16, 2013. The visit was aimed at moving the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Brazil forward.
2. During the visit, Amb. Ashiru held discussions with officials of the Ministry of Defence, to foster cooperation in defence matters, particularly transfer of military technology, as well as training of Nigerian military personnel. Consequently, an invitation has been extended to our Minister of State for Defence, EreluOlusolaObada, to visit Brazil for further discussions on this matter.
3. The Foreign Minister also had extensive and fruitful discussions on bilateral, regional, and international issues with his Brazilian counterpart. Both sides agreed on the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries at the level of Vice-Presidents to hold in the week of 25th November, 2013. The proposed discussions would focus on seven areas; viz Agriculture, Mining, Energy, Trade and Investment, Infrastructure, Defence, and Aviation. The Strategic Dialogue is timed to enable finalisation of discussions for Agreements to be concluded on Promotion of Investment, Avoidance of Double Taxation, Agriculture, and Aviation.
4. Amb. Ashiru, during the visit, paid a courtesy call on the Brazilian Senate President.He also met members of the Foreign Affairs Committee who expressed delight and readiness to support efforts in raising the profile of the strategic cooperation between the two countries. The Honourable Minister also attended a mini-Business Forum, and a meeting with some Brazilian Business Executives where he reiterated his call to them to do business with Nigeria.
5. Within the premises of the Nigerian Embassy, Amb. Ashiru commissioned the newly-built block of residential apartments for officers of the Mission.
6. It is noteworthy to mention that reactions from the Brazilian side were indicative of the desire, on their part, to promote closer cooperation and stronger ties with Nigeria. They professed to ensure the success of the Strategic Partnership between both powers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will, therefore, proceed to organise inter-ministerial meetings, in the near future, to adequately prepare, in order to ensure the success of the inaugural session of the Strategic Dialogue between Nigeria and Brazil slated for November 2013.
OgboleAmedu Ode
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tafawa Balewa House
Abuja.
26/07/2013