President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the long history of economic relationship between Nigeria and France.
He also lauded Nigeria’s relationship with Switzerland.
Buhari made the commendation on Wednesday at separate bilateral meetings he held with President Francois Hollande of France and President Johann Schneider-Ammann of Switzerland.
The meetings were held on the sidelines of the 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Buhari, who welcomed more investment and economic partnerships from France, said that Nigeria was a fertile ground for handsome return on investments.
“Apart from your country’s close relationship with us, you have the same with most of our neighbours,” Buhari told Francois Hollande of France.
“We seek more collaboration, particularly in agriculture, mining and security.”
Buhari informed his French counterpart of the Presidential Committee on the North-East.
He described the committee as a `one-stop’ mechanism on development partnership for a zone that had been ravaged for many years by Boko Haram insurgents, and which needed urgent rebuilding.
Responding, Hollande pledged that France would not only engage with Nigeria on different fronts, but would also provide humanitarian assistance in the North-East.
“We will invest in Nigeria, we believe in her,” the French President said.
Buhari sought the cooperation of President Johann Schneider-Ammann of Switzerland on speedy repatriation of Nigeria’s money stashed in that country.
He said that Nigeria needed such resources to develop its infrastructure.
He said that the two countries had agreed on projects the funds would be deployed.
In his response, President Schneider-Ammann promised quick action, as soon as the draft agreement on repartration of the funds was signed.
He also pledged consolidation of mutual trade relationships, infrastructural development and support in training and equipping of the Nigerian military.
