The Head of State His Excellency Paul BIYA, and the African representative of German Chancellor Angela MERKEL, Mr. Gunter NOOKE, discussed cooperation links between the two countries during an audience on 22 May 2013 at Unity Palace. The President later granted another audience to Mohamed NURUDEEN, bearer of a special message from President Goodluck EBELE JONATHAN of Nigeria.

Mr. Gunter NOOKE, who is the personal representative for Africa of the German Chancellor in the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, is in Cameroon to foster cooperation ties between Cameroon and Germany. Speaking to the press at Unity Palace after discussions with President Paul BIYA that lasted almost one hour, he reiterated the commitment of his country to set up a fertiliser production industry in Cameroon, via the German company Ferrostaal Gmbh.

The German official also announced that his country will serve as Cameroon’s Ambassador in Europe and the European Union, and will accompany Cameroon in its development efforts. Mr. Gunter NOOKE gave assurances that his country will support our agricultural sector so as to enable Cameroon to become an emerging economy.

It should be noted that the Head of State announced the setting up of a fertiliser industry as one of the measures to bring Cameroon to the second generation agriculture, which involves mass production and processing of food products. The presence of the German envoy in Cameroon is testimony of the determination of the Government to carry forward this promise. The German company Ferrostaal Gmbh, the National Hydrocarbons Company and Euroil signed an agreement in Yaoundé this day for the setting up of a fertiliser company in Limbe in the South West Region that will use natural gas produced locally.

For his part, the Minister of State N° 2 at the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that security issues were at the centre of the discussions he had with the President of the Republic. He said our two brotherly and friendly countries are linked by history, geography and culture, so many issues of common interest link the two countries.

The fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria at the moment is a major factor of concern to the two countries and the President of Nigeria thought it wise to concert with Yaounde over such a serious matter.