The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU) have strengthened their collaboration on regional and international peace and security.
The two blocs have also cooperated in deepening the integration process in the West African sub-region.
A statement by the ECOWAS commission in Abuja said inter-bloc collaboration was part of the issues raised an agreed on when the commission’s President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, participated in the 23rd TPolitical Dialogue with the EU in Brussels.
According to the statement, the two bodies have agreed to further strengthen their cooperation in the spirit of “equal partnership”. They also agreed to provide “sustainable solutions” to security, political, economic, humanitarian and environmental challenges facing ECOWAS, as well as working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the AU Agenda 2063, and the ECOWAS Vision 2050.
The next ECOWAS-EU Ministerial Dialogue will be held in Abuja at a date to be determined, the statement added.
Writing by Hamza Alkali; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade and Tony Okerafor