The Vice-President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended the cooperation between the West African regional organization and Germany. Presiding over discussions on political cooperation and development between the ECOWAS Commission and Germany on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, Mrs. Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja called for further strengthening of their bilateral partnership in various areas in the coming years.
These discussions will enable representatives from both parties to review progress made since November 2023, with particular emphasis on prospects for cooperation between ECOWAS and Germany. Key areas include the economic and political situation in West Africa, peace-building, conflict and pandemic prevention, health, good governance, social protection, climate change, renewable energies, and energy efficiency.
According to Mrs. Tchintchibidja, current collaboration between the two parties exemplifies what can be achieved when institutions and partners support each other in areas of common interest. "As far as ECOWAS is concerned," she stated, "we know that we can do much more. And we will continue to work with a close and reliable partner like the government of the Federal Republic of Germany to achieve our program of regional integration, the common market and the creation of a safe, secure and prosperous ECOWAS region."
She recalled commitments made by both parties at their last consultation held in September 2023 in Berlin to work towards an equal partnership based on respect and reciprocity. This includes deepening their cooperation through concrete projects aimed at sustainable and inclusive development.
Mrs. Tchintchibidja thanked German authorities for committing an additional 80.75 million Euros to ECOWAS for bilateral technical and financial cooperation for 2023-2024. This brings the total volume of such cooperation since it began in 1985 to approximately 494.41 million Euros. "This demonstrates the seriousness of the German government’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the ECOWAS integration program," she emphasized.
Dr. Silivia Morgenroth, Head of the West Africa II Division at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and leader of the German delegation, reaffirmed Germany's determination to strengthen its cooperation with ECOWAS. Accompanied by Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Mrs. Annett Günther, Dr. Morgenroth noted that their country's cooperation with ECOWAS is guided by its main mandate: strengthening regional economic integration and stability within the Community.
"ECOWAS Vision 2050 represents important reform strategies in line with Germany’s development policy priorities," said Dr. Morgenroth.
Presentations were made at the plenary session by heads of division and directors of the ECOWAS Commission focusing on activities covered by cooperation between ECOWAS and Germany.
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