Bern, Press releases, 20.02.2012

The Secretary of State of the FDFA, Peter Maurer, received a Nigerian delegation in Berne on 20 February headed by the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria, Martin Uhomoibi, as part of political consultations between the two countries which were initiated in May 2010. This high-level meeting addressed a number of bilateral and multilateral topics and is being followed up by technical meetings as part of a partnership on migration and consultations on human rights.

The two delegations, whose countries maintain excellent bilateral relations, discussed areas of common interest such as the reinforcement of bilateral relations, trade – Nigeria is Switzerland's second-largest business partner in sub-Saharan Africa – and bilateral investments, the security situation in the Sahara-Sahel region and multilateral topics. Concerns relating to recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria and security issues throughout the region were the subject of an exchange aiming to identify solutions at a regional level.

Relations between Switzerland and Nigeria in the field of migration are the subject of a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2011 in Berne by Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, Head of the FDJP, and the former Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Henry Odein Ajumogobia. This memorandum established a partnership on migration between the two countries, the first of its kind between Switzerland and an African country. The two delegations engaged in discussions in the context of this partnership which is aimed at long-term cooperation in the interest and to the benefit of both parties. The memorandum of understanding specifically addresses cooperation relating to the reinforcement of immigration service capacity, the fight against human trafficking, police cooperation and the promotion and protection of human rights. A number of joint projects dedicated to training Nigerian youth and, in certain cases, involving Nigerians living in Switzerland, also come within the scope of this partnership and will be developed further. The two parties underlined the importance of voluntary repatriation, to be conducted with the appropriate level of security and dignity. In 2011, 80% of those Nigerian citizens who left Switzerland did so voluntarily, many of them benefiting from a repatriation assistance programme.

At the multilateral level Switzerland, which presided over the Global Forum on Migration and Development in 2011, was keen to emphasise Nigeria's commitment to the topic of south-south migration and expressed its satisfaction in continuing this collaboration with Nigeria in 2012.

Apart from technical meetings in the field of migration, a second round of consultations on human rights is being held, also in Switzerland. The two countries are pleased to have this major tool available which helps them to strengthen their cooperation in the area of human rights in a meaningful and constructive manner, including at the multilateral level.


Further information:

Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Nigeria


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