(http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/thumbnail.php?file=EU_931653502.jpg&size=article_medium) Macrae The European Union on Thursday condemned the recent attacks on media houses in Nigeria, saying journalists should be able to discharge their duties independently without fear of violence or repression.
The Islamic sect, Boko Haram, after bombing some newspapers’ offices in Abuja and Kaduna last week, has threatened to continue the attack on the nation’s media houses.
Speaking at a media luncheon to mark the 2012 World Press Freedom day in Abuja on Thursday, the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador David Macrae, urged the Federal Government to do everything possible to bring the perpetuators to book.
While commending the courage of the Nigerian media, who had chosen to remain focused in the face of the unprovoked and unwarranted aggression by the marauding forces of evil, Macrae urged Nigerians to be inspired by the resilience demonstrated by the media.
According to him, the EU is working with the Federal Government on various agreements including security.
He said: “The EU will continue to support Nigeria as it explores ways to ensure that innocent citizens are protected while a lasting solution to the prevailing security challenges is worked out.”
Macrae also disclosed that the EU would continue to execute its developmental projects in all the states of the federation, including those in the North East, stressing that it would be cowardly to abandon the projects there.
Also frowning at what he called perception of the Economic Partnership Agreement as a negative ploy to allow unrestricted entry of Europeans into the West African markets, he said the EPA is not an attempt to destroy the region’s nascent industries but to help develop industries and thus generate employment opportunities in the region.
“There have been concerns that all we are doing is to open up the West African markets without restriction and undermine efforts by the region to develop its manufacturing sector. We want to offer the best trade advantages that we have, we are not talking about an economic free for all,” he stated.
He explained that the EPA is compliant with the dictates of the World Trade Organisation and would be utilized by Europe to assist ECOWAS to promote regional integration despite its defined borders and diversity.
TheNation