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The European Union's commissioner in charge of development and humanitarian aid, Poul Nielson, is due to visit Nigeria next week to review the state of cooperation between the two parties.
The highlight of the visit, scheduled for 15-17 July, would be the signing of an aid package worth Euro 600 million (US $592 million) for the National Indicative Programme. The program, designed for the period 2002-2007, is a national strategy document that aims to promote Nigeria's own development processes, the European Commission said in statement on Wednesday.
The aid package, which includes unspent balances from previous programmes would target poverty alleviation, water and sanitation services, and public finances in six states.
Other issues, including human rights, democracy and governance, would also be addressed during a meeting between Nielson and President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Nielson's visit is a follow-up to an earlier mission in March 2000 when the EU reaffirmed cooperation with the West African nation. The EU had cut its development aid to Nigeria in 1996 in protest against human rights abuses under the regime of former President Sani Abacha.
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