By MARK LONGYEN

The United States has announced the unveiling of an Air Transport Agreement with Nigeria.

The Public Diplomacy Department of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, which disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, said the agreement had provisionally been applied since 2000.

The bilateral agreement establishes a modern civil aviation relationship between the two countries.

The mission said that the agreement was consistent with the U.S. Open Skies international aviation policy with commitments to high standards of aviation safety and security.

“This agreement with Nigeria is a step forward in liberalising the international civil aviation sector in Africa.

“It further expands our strong economic and commercial partnership, promotes people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for airlines, travel companies and customers.

“The agreement includes provisions that allow for unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime and open code-sharing opportunities.

“With this agreement, air carriers can provide more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services to travellers and shippers, which in turn promotes tourism and commerce.”

It recalled that the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, had earlier in April, held a meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar.

The mission said the duo reiterated their commitment to a vibrant partnership to build a prosperous future for both nations.

It quoted Department of State Spokesman, Matthew Miller, as saying: “On May 14, Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar in Washington.

“On the heels of their engagement during a successful U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission(BNC) in Abuja last month, the Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister made progress toward implementing mutual economic, governance, and security priorities.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Campbell had, during his visit to Nigeria, co-chaired the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission with Tuggar.

He also held discussions with senior government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives on partnerships, shared prosperity, democracy, governance and accountability, movement of people, among others. (NAN)

•Kurt Campbell, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State (L), with Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

Update news