The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, held a meeting today with the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu."We appreciate the potential of the Nigerian market and its entrepreneurship and consider Nigeria to be Italy's second biggest commercial partner in sub-Saharan Africa, one of the priority markets in 2017", began Minister Alfano.

"Our excellent economic and commercial relations, which include the traditional presence of Italian companies in the oil and gas sector - continued the minister - present further opportunities for growth in other sectors, particularly agro-food and agro-industry, which is why a branch office of the Italian Trade Agency will be opening in Lagos in 2017".

The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the political situation in the country. Minister Alfano confirmed "Italy's support for action by the international community to assist the Nigerian Government in combating terrorist activities, under the rule of law and with full respect for human rights".