[size=14pt]Jonathan orders review of foreign policy[/size]
•Pledges improved elections in 2015
• Says doing so is illegal
From JULIANA TAIWO, Abuja
Tuesday, May 17, 2011

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a review of Nigeria’s foreign policy to reflect current realities, after 50 years of independence. The President gave the directive during a breakfast meeting with the Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations at State House, Abuja, yesterday.
According to the President, “after 50 years of independence, it is time to review the country’s foreign policy, in line with modern realities and international developments”.

He agreed with the Chairman of the advisory council, Ambassador Emeka Anyaoku, that the highly successful, transparent and credible elections conducted by Nigeria had elevated the country’s democratic credentials in the international community, adding that he would ensure even better elections in 2015.
“From 2007, we committed ourselves to credible elections by setting up the Mohammed Uwais Committee, and this is the result of those efforts’, he added.

The President thanked members of the advisory council for their consistent credible advice, and for congratulating him for his victory in the just-concluded general elections.
Anyaoku had congratulated President Jonathan for his success in the polls, and for delivering on his “promise to conduct credible elections”. The council offered suggestions on several areas of national and international interests to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan has said that his administration would pay special attention to the strengthening of economic relations with the international community.

He gave the assurance while speaking to five new ambassadors at the presentation of their Letters of Credence at the State House, yesterday.
The new ambassadors are Mr. Nyahuma Mentuhotep Obika of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Alvaro Castillo Aguilar of Spain, Mr. Ali Abdo Suleiman, Ethiopia, Mr. Alain Aime Nyamitwe, Burundi and Mr. Issa Ibrahim, Chad.
Jonathan said, “in the next four years, we will pay special attention to the improvement and strengthening of economic ties with our partners in the international community, as a foundation for stability and growth of our country’.
President Jonathan told Mr. Obika that Nigeria was interested in co-operation in the oil and gas sector, while he welcomed the proposal for energy deal by Mr. Aguilar.
All the new ambassadors congratulated President Jonathan for “winning a well-conducted national election” and assured him of the co-operation and support of their countries in the efforts to strengthen economic, social and cultural relations.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/may/17/national-17-05-2011-07.htm

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