At their narrowest point, Europe and Africa – our two neighboring continents – are less than 14 kilometers apart. This close geographical proximity between Africa and Europe reminds us of a fundamental truth: what happens on one continent affects the other directly.

And it is partly due to this neighborhood that we are facing a multitude of challenges together: From the eroding respect for international law to the global security risk arising from terrorism. From challenges posed by irregular migration to disinformation campaigns. From the ever more visible effects of climate change to the challenges and opportunities arising from the current technological revolution.

I am convinced: In these challenging times, our joint answer must be an investment in our partnership. Because both in Africa and Europe, we are only strong, we are only able to move forward, if we stand together.

The good news is that Germany and Nigeria not only share common challenges, but that we are also united by common interests and shared values: Our determination to jointly advance growth and prosperity. Our conviction that multilateral cooperation is necessary to advance peace and security globally. Our commitment to upholding respect for international law.

This is why it was particularly important for me to attend the EU-AU-Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Brussels in my first month in office. And that is why I am very pleased that we are meeting today on the occasion of our Binational Commission. Foreign Minister Tuggar, it is a pleasure to welcome you back here in Berlin, after our initial meeting in May!

I am convinced: for the future of African-European relations, the partnership between our two countries, between Nigeria and Germany, will play a pivotal role.

With over 200 million citizens, Nigeria is the most populous democracy in Africa – and will potentially become the third most populous country in the world by the middle of the century. And as a key member of both the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, Nigeria’s role as a regional leader cannot be overestimated.

Fortunately, Nigeria already is Germany's second-largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 90 active German companies. However – as we have already discussed in May, – we are dedicated to intensify our trade relations, for example in critical raw materials. That is why I am encouraging German businesses to become more involved in Nigeria.

On the security side of things, Nigeria is making important contributions in the Gulf of Guinea and the Lake Chad Basin region – not least by supporting the Multinational Joint Task Force fighting against terrorism. And the fight against terrorism is one area where we have been cooperating for years: Both with a technical advisory group of the German Bundeswehr that has been supporting Nigeria with trainers and equipment for many years and with our 120 million Euro contribution to the Regional Stabilization Fund for the Lake Chad region, which supports stabilization projects in North-East Nigeria.

Ladies and Gentlemen! This year we are celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Nigeria. And one person in particular has rendered outstanding services to our bilateral relations. Thank you, dear Yusuf, for your service as Nigeria’s ambassador to Berlin in recent years. And thank you for your tireless efforts in promoting economic and scientific cooperation between our countries in your current role as Foreign Minister.

Together, we have already achieved a great deal. Many of our interests align. However, there is still much potential to unlock in our bilateral relationship - may that be in trade and investment, in the exchange of skilled workers or when it comes to our energy cooperation. Therefore, I now look forward to hearing the results of the working groups covering the full spectrum of our bilateral and multilateral engagement.

While our two continents are only 14 kilometers apart, our two capitals, Abuja and Berlin, have thousands of kilometers between them. But today we are meeting, in these challenging times, to show that what matters is not just geographical proximity, but the strength of our ties and the determination that we put in our bilateral relationship.

Now – and in the next 65 years. Thank you.