Abuja, 20th February 2018. The ECOWAS Commission and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in Abuja, on Monday, 19th February, 2018 met to review the bilateral agenda between Venezuela and ECOWAS.

During a working visit to the Commission, and Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Arreaza and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Kebe Koroma, both emphasized the need to revive the outstanding relationship between the parties hitherto hampered by technical hitches.

Major areas of concern in the renewed cooperation include the resuscitation of the malaria eradication interventions in West Africa through the production of biolarvicides to cater for Member States, growth of bilateral trade between ECOWAS and Venezuela, enhancement of regional products for better value, implementation of training of 45 students from 15 Member States in the education scheme as well as monitoring of elections especially in the 22nd April, 2018 Venezuelan Presidential elections.

The Venezuelan’s Ambassador to ECOWAS, Mr. Miguel Angel Della Vechia and the ECOWAS Commission’s Acting Director of External Relations, Mr. Jerome Boa will work together to articulate a plan for the renewed cooperation.

Three other ECOWAS Commissioners, Mr. Stephen Nartey (General Administration and Conference), Mr. Kalilou Traore (Industry and Private Sector) and Mr. Laouali Chaibou (Trade, Customs and Free Movement) as well as Venezuelan’s Vice Minister for Africa, Mr. Yuri Pimentel were also present at the meeting.