By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Federal Government (FG), has expressed renewed commitment to strengthen diplomatic relations with France.
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, expressed this commitment, when he received the outgoing Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann and her delegation at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, in a statement said that the Minister noted that the Federal Government will prioritize the diplomatic ties on defence cooperation with France.
Badaru said that Nigeria was ready to build on the existing relationship between the two countries pointing out that the training and technology transfer would further strengthen the bilateral relations both countries have shared.
While appreciating the outgoing Ambassador for the cordial relationship with Nigeria, the Minister, said, both countries are strategic partners and promised to further strengthen it to higher levels of cooperation.
Earlier, the French Ambassador, Emmanuelle Blatmann commended the Nigerian Government for its warm gesture, love, and trust towards her.
The French diplomat said that there was the need to develop cooperation in intelligence sharing between the two countries in the fight against extremism, terror movement and regional insecurity.
Mrs Blatmann said that she has been appointed the Head of the African and Indian Ocean at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in France, promising that France will cooperate more with Nigeria to deepen its defence relationship with Nigeria.
