(by Stefania Fumo).
Premier Matteo Renzi set off on
a mission to Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal on Monday.
"If we want to fight poverty, uproot terrorism, and affirm
shared values, Africa is our priority today," he wrote on his
website.
"We must do everything possible to make this planet more
humane," he said in the Nigerian capital of Abuja after meeting
with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
"Italy has neglected Africa for too long," he said.
"International cooperation with Nigeria is a great priority...
Nigeria is a country full of resources and talent. We are here
to discuss investments, but for me the most important thing are
common values".
To this end, Renzi told Buhari that Italy stands with
Nigeria in its battle against Islamist terror group Boko Haram,
which is responsible for a string of atrocities in northern
Nigeria where it is trying to carve out its own state.
Voicing his condolences for a Boko Haram attack on Sunday
that claimed 86 lives, including those of many children who were
burned alive, Renzi said "we will destroy all forms of terrorism
with determination".
"We will back your leadership in the fight against
terrorism," Renzi told Buhari.
"Italy is with you, with your people, in the effort against
the Boko Haram enemy".
On the economic front, Renzi said Italy looks forward to
economic collaboration with Nigeria in the energy, farming,
logistics and infrastructure, and small and medium business
sectors.
"I consider the possibility of growth in energy and oil
investments very positive - particularly with (Italian oil and
gas giant) ENI - but also in infrastructure and logistics," he
said.
The two leaders agreed that "agriculture and small and
medium businesses are a shared priority", said Renzi. "They are
a very important asset for Italy," he explained.
At the end of the first leg of his Africa tour, Renzi
reaffirmed his commitment to helping Nigerian migrants in their
home country.
"Most immigrants who arrive in Italy by boat are from
Nigeria," Renzi wrote on his Facebook page after leaving Abuja
for Ghana.
"To the kind souls who say 'let's help them in their own
homelands' I say this what we're trying to do - but we do it by
maintaining our sense of humanity, our values, our ideals: this
is Italy's vocation".
"We are departing Abuja for Ghana with a certainty," the
premier wrote.
"Winning the challenge against extremism in Nigeria and in
this part of Africa is decisive for the future of the whole
planet. Italy is here," the premier added.
Renzi is due to end his Africa mission in Senegal.
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