The President of Germany, Joachim Gauck, wednesday called for a greater cooperation between Europe and Africa with a view to combating terrorism as well as nipping in the bud, causes of refugee influx.
The German president disclosed this when he addressed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja.
According to Gauck, “Fleeing and displacement have become a challenge that quite directly links both our continents.”
He however promised that his country would remain an open country for refugees.
“But we also recognise that our reception capacity is limited. We cannot take in all who want to come to us.
“Developing countries, emerging countries and industrialised countries can only together solve the many challenges that do not know national frontiers,” the German president stressed.
Gauck charged Nigeria on the need crush barriers in trade as well as providing conducive environment for investors.
About 100 German companies are in Nigeria, prompting Gauck to declared that “the interest of the German economy is there.”
Earlier, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, had conferred honorary citizenship of Abuja on Gauck at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.
The German president was presented the key to the city of Abuja by the minister.
The minister, while receiving Gauck, described Abuja as the symbol of national unity of the country.
He remarked that the key to the city of Abuja conferred on him the Honorary Citizenship of Abuja, with all the rights and privileges.
Bello emphasised that this honour had been bestowed on the visiting president as a mark of respect for the strong friendship and cordial relationship between the people of Nigeria and Germany.
Bello emphasised that this honour had been bestowed on the visiting president as a mark of respect for the strong friendship and cordial relationship between the people of Nigeria and Germany.
Responding, Gauck who led a strong delegation of German government and people to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, appreciated the honour done to him.
The German president reiterated that Nigeria and Germany have long standing diplomatic relationship that should be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
According to him, he and his entourage were in Nigeria to have audience with President Buhari.
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