Danish minister pledges to assist Nigeria on behalf of EU

Feb 8, 2012, 12:23 GMT

Abuja - Danish Foreign Minister Villy Soevndal visited the Nigerian capital Abuja Tuesday, where he met with President Goodluck Jonathan and other officials on behalf of the European Union.

Denmark holds the six-month rotating European Union presidency, and Soevndal is standing in for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the visit, the Danish EU presidency said in a statement.

Soevndal said Nigeria's security challenges are an impediment to national development. He said the EU is ready to offer expertise and technical assistance as Nigeria faces the ongoing threat of terrorism from Boko Haram.

The Islamist group targeted the north-western city of Kano in a fresh wave of attacks targeting police stations and civilians Monday.

Boko Haram also claimed responsibility for blasts in the central city of Kaduna, in which the only death was that of a suicide bomber.

Soevndal and Jonathan signed a joint communique pledging to combine efforts and resources to address the root causes of the security crisis.

Talks also addressed trade and investment, commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and the need to fully implement an amnesty programme designed to consolidate peace in the Niger Delta.

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