EU economic-development commissioner visits Niger

European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica visited Niger recently.

The visit had many purposes. Mimica discussed EU's financial aid toward development efforts in the nation, including plans for future aid. Mimica also spoke about Niger's security issues and EU's financial support for the Multinational Joint Task Force against terror group Boko Haram and a trust fund aimed at helping address many causes of instability in Niger.

"The EU is a major political, humanitarian and development actor in Niger," Mimica said. "We are using all our instruments to tackle the numerous challenges that this country has to face, such as food and nutrition insecurity, youth unemployment, regional instability. The new EU Trust Fund will enable us to deliver quickly to address root causes of instability and irregular migration. Niger will be on the list of the first countries to benefit from the Trust Fund."

During his time in Niger, Mimica toured projects that had been funded through EU support. Mimica also met  with Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Aichatou Boulama, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Saidou Sidibe, Minister of the Interior Hassoumi Massaoudou and Minister of Justice Marou Amadou.