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General News of Tuesday, 1 June 2021

Source: thenationonlineng.net

Buhari advocates int’l cooperation for tackling common global challenges

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has emphasised the need for the global community to work together in confronting the various common challenges facing most countries of the world currently.

The President spoke at a ceremony to receive Letters of Credence from Ambassadors of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr Yanko Yordanou, People’s Republic of China, Mr Cui Jianchun, High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr Muhammad Tayyab Azan, Ambassadors of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Hidayet Bayraktar and Ukraine, Valerii Kirdoda, at the State House.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari observed that the menace of COVID-19, with spillovers into dwindling national economies, would require a global framework to ameliorate the burden of struggling citizens, and re-ignite growth.

The President observed further that challenges like climate change, terrorism, insurgency, population growth and others require greater international cooperation to tackle, highlighting their catastrophic impacts and why the challenges cannot be underestimated.

“As you all settle down to your solemn duties to promote your respective national values and interests through your countries’ foreign policy on Nigeria, you should rest assured that the Federal Republic of Nigeria will engage you as we all strive to relate through effective cooperation and collaboration to enhance our collective interests.

“As we are all aware, the pre-COVID-19 era was already faced with the challenge of attaining sustainable development. Some countries were even faced with additional challenges like securing their territorial integrity against violent non-state actors.

“The unprecedented crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has now caused far more serious setbacks to our quests for sustainable development; hence the need for international cooperation and collaboration to fight the disease, as no country is immune from its devastating effects on lives and livelihoods.

“These challenges underscore the need for the international community to work even more in concert with each other to collectively identify appropriate ways and manners to globally resolve these challenges," President Buhari added.

The President said bilateral relations between Nigeria and each of the countries were most cordial, adding that: “We still need to enhance these fraternal ties between our nations,” he said.

President Buhari welcomed the Ambassadors to Nigeria, urging them to build on the successes of their predecessors while assuring the government would continue to support their mission in Nigeria.

The President also implored the ambassadors to ensure accurate reports on Nigeria in their assessments to home governments, adding: “that way we can achieve greater understanding between our countries."

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to Abuja, Nigeria, marking the formal assumption of your diplomatic responsibilities to your various countries, following the presentation of Letters of Credence that has just been concluded.

“This age-long tradition and practice enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations mark the official commencement of your functions as Principal Representatives of your respective countries,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the envoys, the Ambassador of Bulgaria extended deep gratitude and appreciation for the reception on arrival in the country and State House, bringing the goodwill of the Heads of State.

Yordanou expressed the desire of the countries to continue working with Nigeria, assuring that the partnerships at various levels will be of progress and prosperity.