Nigeria, Brazil begin bilateral talks
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egotiations began yesterday between Nigeria and Brazil towards a pact on economic, social and political co-operation between the two countries.
The negotiating teams led by the two nations Foreign Affairs Ministers, Olu Adeniji (Nigeria) and Celso Luiz Nunes (Brazil), would form the basis for a Nigeria/Brazilian joint commission expected to take off in May.
According to Celso, Brazil is prepared to negotiate in the areas of oil, machine tools, maritime transport, labour and industry as well as health and education.
Celso identified cassava cultivation as one area his country would seek close ties with Nigeria, noting that it was a major and stable crop in both countries.
He said that both nations should look into the area of cultural co-operation, and also work towards assisting each other on peace keeping missions abroad.
Brazil also reminded Nigeria of its candidature in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and solicited its support to achieve that quest.
Adeniji in his remarks, lauded bilateral relationship between both nations, especially on the political front.
He welcomed the idea of exploring the cassava potential; saying that Nigeria was looking into ways of using the crop for bread making.
The minister said that Nigeria would also examine strategies adopted by Brazil that reduced by half, the mortality rate resulting from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, malaria and tuberculosis.
Adeniji said that both nations should also work towards better maritime transport, immigration, trafficking and money laundering.
Both ministers agreed to enhance their resolve to end conflicts in their regions with Brazil lauding Nigeria's role in Africa and Nigeria praising Brazil's role towards a stable Haiti.
(From Guardian Newspapers, January 18, 2005)
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