By Fortune Abang
Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman, ECOWAS Council of Ministers, has urged member states to effectively implement the resolutions reached at its 94th Ordinary Session in Abuja.
The minister gave the charge in a closing remark at the end of the 94th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on Friday night in Abuja.
The two-day meeting brought together ambassadors, permanent representatives, ECOWAS commissioners, heads of institutions, resident representatives, among others, to discuss various subregional issues.
Among the issues discussed by the council was the need for member states to bolster their unity and economic exchange across the ECOWAS the subregion toward achieving its economic growth and prosperity.
Tuggar said that, through their continued collaboration and shared commitment, the council had already set a clear and promising course toward achieving a more unified and prosperous subregion.
“The conclusion reached during this meeting will no doubt contribute to the actualisation of the regional integration agenda of ECOWAS.
“It remains essential that we encourage our respective governments to faithfully implement the decisions we have adopted and to actively support the recommendations emerging from our discussions.
“Of course, pending approval of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on matters that require such,” he said.
The minister also emphasised that the resolutions reached clearly demonstrated the council members’ collective resolve to address the pressing challenges confronting the ECOWAS bloc.
He lauded their dedication to ECOWAS’ shared vision and core principles of regional cooperation, adding that it had been deeply inspiring.
“I convey my profound gratitude for your commitment, invaluable perspectives and contributions to our deliberations over challenges that bear direct impact on the well-being of our citizens and long-term quality of our member states.
“This has endeared renowned scholars of trade in Africa to describe the continent’s regional economic communities as uncelebrated heroes in efforts to establish and utilise common arrangements for cross-border trade and related regional initiatives,” he said.
He also lauded the ECOWAS Commission for preparing the comprehensive working documents which guided and enriched the council’s deliberations that yielded positive results during the session.
“I am confident that the high standard demonstrated during this session will continue to define our future interactions.
“Let me sincerely appreciate each one of you for your cooperation and support to me over the last two years as the chair of this council.
“This may be my last council session as chair of this council. Over the last two years, I have enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with each one of you,” he further said.
He expressed the hope that the same cooperation would be extended to whoever would take over the leadership of this council from him.
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