On Tuesday 17 July, European Parliament Antonio Tajani started a two-day visit to Niger, accompanied by a delegation of business people and representatives from the European Investment Bank and international institutions (such as the European Commission and UNIDO).
His objective is twofold – to step up links with this country on combating illegal migration, and to promote investment in Africa, as he had announced at the European Council on 28-29 June that largely focused on the issue of migration and the search for European solutions (see EUROPE 12052).
"Niger plays a key role to drastically reduce irregular migrants’ flows to Libya and the EU. My visit to Niamey aims at strengthening our partnership with this country, discussing how the EU can promote investments and make more funds available" in the country, Tajani stated, as quoted in a press release at the start of his visit.
During the mission, meetings are planned with Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini and representatives from the Sahel countries to discuss whether the cooperation model with Niger could be extended to other African countries in the region. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)