British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, has said he looked forward to "an early meeting" with the President-elect, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in order "to begin our discussion on future co-operation."
Blair in a letter to President Olusegun Obasanjo said the British Government will work with the new administration on reforms and governance among others.
“We are keen to work with the new administration on reform and governance, democracy, development and other areas of cooperation which we have developed over the last eight years,” Blair stated in the letter.
But Blair, who also gave kudos to Obasanjo for his great efforts in moving Nigeria forward, said Britain and the international community would be interested in the continuation of the reforms which the out-going President started.
“Nigeria has made important progress during your time in office, and I have greatly valued my relationship with you. The continuation of reform by your successor will be extremely important for the UK (United Kingdom) and other members of the international community,” the letter further read.
Blair however assured that though Obasanjo was spending his last weeks in office, he would love to remain in contact with the out-going President to rub minds on issues about Africa and the international community.
“I look forward to maintaining contact with you on African and international issues in future,” Blair stated.
Blair’s letter came on the heels of the visit by envoys of some member-countries of the Arab League to congratulate Yar’Adua on his victory in the April Presidential elections.
The envoys from Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also canvassed improved bilateral relations between Nigeria and their countries.
Yar’Adua, responding to the envoys from the Arab League, assured that the relations between Nigeria and their respective countries would be strengthened even as he called on the African Union (AU) and the Arab League to form a common front aimed at championing the overall interest of member countries within the comity of nations.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr, will next Tuesday appraise the media of the activities slated for the inauguration of Yar’Adua and his deputy, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck.
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