News - Jonathan meets Cameron, urges more trade with Africa

[TGD]

 PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has pushed for more trade with Africa during his meeting with the British Prime Minister at 10, Downing Street Monday.

Jonathan asked Cameron to use his current position as leader of the G8 countries - the world's most advanced economies - to help in getting more trading opportunities for African economies.

Speaking with journalists before his closed door meeting with Cameron, Jonathan said "trade" with the world's strongest economies is vital for the growth of countries on the African continent. Cameron, on his part, commiserated with the President on the killing of some foreign medical practitioners by religious extremists recently.

According to Cameron, Britain and Nigeria have a "very close relationship" and "we want to make it closer." This is because it is mutually beneficial to both countries. "It's a relationship based on successful trade and investment and that is set to double," Cameron said.

But he noted that the day's business meeting was primarily about Mali and how the two countries can work together on the situation. "Today, we will be talking about the situation in West Africa, in Mali and how Britain and Nigeria can work together." He then expressed his sympathy to the President on the killing of foreign medical practitioners in Kano. "I also want to express my sympathy and condolences for the murder of eight workers in Kano and the attack on some Koreans. We are committed to working with you to try to eradicate the scourge of terrorism."

Responding, Jonathan thanked him for supporting Nigeria and Africa with development aid and efforts and also in tackling terrorism. After congratulating the British leader on his chairmanship of the G8, he then asked him to use the post in facilitating more trade between the G8 countries and African economies. Jonathan also asked him to help Nigeria fight the war against oil theft, describing oil stolen from Nigeria and refined outside the country as "blood oil."

Jonathan, who prior to meeting the British leader, met with the deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, also told Cameron that the ECOWAS troops in Mali would need the support of "great intelligence network assistance " in order to prevent the rebels from making a comeback in Mali. After his 9.30 a.m. meeting at the Downing Street, President Jonathan left immediately for Paris, where he is expected to also table the same issues with the French President, Francois Hollande, before returning to Abuja.



The Guardian