Swiss official visits Niger to discuss security, economic issues

Yves Rossier, Switzerland's state secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), recently traveled to Niger for a three-day visit, during which he met with a number of government officials and discussed several matters pertaining to the nation's economy and security.

During his time in Niger, Rossier met with President Mahamadou Issoufou and Niger's foreign minister, Kané Aichatou Boulama. Rossier also visited the sites of several projects being supported with financial assistance from Switzerland, a nation that has provided financial and humanitarian support to Niger since 1977.

Rossier assured Niger's officials that security would be a main focus as the nation moved toward its presidential elections in 2016.

These elections will be boosted financially by assistance from Switzerland. Other aid from Switzerland will be coming to Niger through a new 2016-19 cooperation strategy, which was put in place earlier this month. Under the terms of that agreement, Switzerland will contribute funds for food security, education, vocational training and governance programs in Niger.

A main topic of discussion during those meetings was Niger's fight against terrorism and need for regional security, as Niger has been under attack to the north by terrorist group Boko Haram.