The Minister of Foreign Amb. Yusuf Tuggar has emphasised the need for continuoues collaboration between ECOWAS countries and the U.S to sustain prosperity which can be achieved through trade and investment, devoid of barriers, noting that ECOWAS countries and the US have a rare opportunity to create a partnership based on principles of need.
Tuggar said this in his opening address during the 54th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ECOWAS Ministerial Level, held on Wednesday in Abuja.
The minister stressed that it would be remiss of him if he did not mention the apparent recent decision by the Government of the United States to include all ECOWAS countries in its visa restrictions (Togo was on an earlier list).
He said this would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, "because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals. We possess critical minerals and even rare earths such as Samarium from the Monazite found in my home State of Bauchi.
"We would like to do deals with the US, but visa restrictions are Non-Tarriff Barriers to deals. We in this part of the world are students of the Art of the Deal and have been part of the international trading system even before the modern state system.
"We are also a strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers. So, we will do deals for our prosperity; the only question is with whom? Who takes up the opportunities in our region by allowing government officials and technocrats, business executives and entrepreneurs to travel freely back and forth to close the deals?
He commended the Ministers for their shared commitment towards advancing peace and security across West Africa, in the pursuit for the development of the Community and lasting well-being of its citizens
According to him, there is the need for the ministers to collectively consult, collaborate and take decisive action that is vital to fostering peace, security and good governance across the region.
He described the sub-region as strategic alternative to more distant and politically divergent energy producers, saying “we will do deals for our prosperity; the only question is with whom?
“Also, who takes up the opportunities in our region by allowing government officials and technocrats, business executives and entrepreneurs to travel freely back and forth to close the deals?”
He mentioned that the session had become significant to promote deliberation on number of key issues that directly tackled issues about the stability, cohesion and resilience of our region.
He revealed the Council would be presented with several important memoranda and reports, covering political, security and humanitarian matters during course of the meeting.
“The ECOWAS Commission and its team will provide comprehensive analysis of trends and developments in our political landscape, including transition process in Guinea.
“The Council will also review essential elements in our efforts to ensure the operational readiness and sustainability of our peace support architecture to consolidate and improve impact on the ground.
“This Council will receive a comprehensive update on the Early Warning and Response Centres in our Member States. These Centres are essential components of our regional conflict prevention framework,” he said.
He explained that a Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) had been introduction by the Council, in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme, to confront challenges of democratic governance.
He said the RPD was established between May 15 and May 24, as a template that should be collectively owned and applied within polities, based on particularities of the respective member states polity.
The event was attended by the President of ECOWAS, ministers and members of mediation and security council, vice-president of ECOWAS Commission.
Others include, members of the permanent representatives committee, commissioners and heads of institution and resident representatives.